Duo lead the way in rout

RUGBY: WATERHEAD under-14s swept aside Lowca with a 70-0 victory in the National Cup.

Man-of-the-match Reece Bradshaw and Danny Fairfoul picked up a hat-trick each, while Billy McDermott and Matty Jackson were both at the double.

Also on the mark for Waterhead were Zack Maher, Joe Chadderton, Jonny Aspin, Adam Wells and James Tetlow.

Conversions came courtesy of Aspin, Chadderton, Bradshaw, Tetlow and Fairfoul.

The under-17s roared to a 64-4 defeat of Wigan St Cuthberts, to consolidate second position in the North-West Counties Premier Division.

Ben Whitehead opened the scoring with a solo try, which he also converted.

Further first half touchdowns from Danny Hurley, Ben Jackson, Ryan Gordon and Adam Steeple — all but one of which were converted — handed the hosts a comfortable 28-0 lead at the break.

Waterhead did not take their foot off the gas in the second period.

John Deakin crossed twice before Brendon Meanock, Dalton Howe, Jonathan Foulds and Whitehead joined him on the scoresheet with converted tries.

St Cuthberts managed a consolation towards the end of the match.


SADDLEWORTH Rangers under-13s went down to a 20-0 defeat at Blackbrook Royals, who had an extra player due to Rangers’ injury problems.
The visitors conceded a try after five minutes but did not let their heads go down, and tried their best to respond with several spirited runs.

Captain Harry Aaronson came close to a breakthrough more than once.

Superb defending by Harry Smith and Tom Brisk kept the opposition out until just before half-time when Blackbrook forced their way over for two quickfire tries.

Rangers started with a flourish after the break, with Dan Holmes gaining valuable territory and giving opportunities to the forwards.

A handling error on the 20-yard line gifted the hosts a try, and they touched down again with five minutes remaining.

It was a dogged display from depleted Rangers, with Sam Ireland producing some fine tackling to help keep the score down.