Rangers aiming to start in style

READY for the Rugby Oldham Challenge are, left to right: Rick Badby (St Anne’s), Paul Brooks (Hollinwood), Terence Fitzgerald (Waterhead), Michael Coates (Saddleworth), Steve Chadwick (Rochdale Cobras) and Dave Hewson (Higginshaw).

SADDLEWORTH Rangers are “chomping at the bit” to get their season started, according to coach Keith Brennan.

A trip across the Pennines to Shaw Cross Sharks awaits the Greenfield club tomorrow, in their opening fixture in National Conference League division one.

In contention for a place in the side are half-backs Lee Charlesworth and Liam Coates, while Matt Bottom has returned from the professional ranks at Halifax to add steel to the pack.

The only absentee at the moment is Tom Kilgannon, who is recovering from a minor knee operation.

“It will be a tough game but preparations have gone to plan so hopefully we can start well,” said Brennan.

Elsewhere in the same section, Oldham St Anne’s are aiming to bounce back following a late collapse which left them 46-24 losers at Widnes St Marie’s two weeks ago. They welcome back Jason Best and Lee Forsythe, both missing in a game in which Saints led 24-18.

In division two, Waterhead are also hoping to make amends when travelling to play Cumbrian outfit Egremont.

Mick Slicker’s side were beaten 34-24 at home by Milford Marlins in their opening fixture two weeks ago.

Of the other sides involved in the new Rugby Oldham Challenge which starts this weekend, Hollinwood are at home to Littleborough in Pennine League division four, Higginshaw of North-West Counties League division four are at West bank Bears, while in division six of the same competition, Rochdale Cobras are at home to Halton Simms Cross ‘A’.

Meanwhile, the Barrie McDermott-organised Waterhead Masters event on Sunday, starting at 12.30pm, promises to showcase plenty of star names from both past and present.




OLDHAM St Anne’s under-18s kick off their new season under a new coach, former Oldham RL man Bob Marsden.

Following an up-and-down year last time out, hopes are high that Saints can bounce back and gain promotion back to the premier division at the first time of asking.

Three players have come back to the club from Super League academies — Jordan White (Bradford), Danny Moran (Leeds) and Callum Casey (Warrington) — and with a home match against Folly Lane lying in wait at Higginshaw Road on Sunday (11.45am) St Anne’s will be aiming to get off to a flying start.