Saddleworth see off challenge of young Saints

SADDLEWORTH Rangers overcame the challenge of Oldham St Anne's to notch a convincing victory in their opening National Conference League division one game of the season.

Rangers were too strong for a young Saints outfit, who went down 32-2 at Shaw Hall Bank Road.

Kiel Lancashire put the visitors from Higginshaw Road ahead with an early penalty, but James Whalley went over on the right to put Saddleworth in front.

Saints continued to push forward without really looking threatening and clinical Rangers increased their advantage twice more before half-time, through Gareth Davies and Michael Coates, with the latter adding a pair of conversions.

Lee Charlesworth took an Emerson Jackman pass to score just before the hour mark and the result was then embellished by two fine late tries.

First, Adam Walker took on a superb pass from Jimmy Rogers before throwing a dummy and touching down, before a lovely move involving Rogers and Danny Attersall ended with Simon Parrish finishing things off.

Waterhead picked up a first win of the season in division two, seeing off Ovenden 30-26 at home.

Tries from Terry Fitzgerald, Paul Bennett and Mark Wyatt, plus three Fitzgerald goals, gave the Peach Road side an 18-10 half-time lead.

The visitors came back strongly after the break to narrow the gap to two points but further tries from Jimmy Kirkland and Nick Johnson, both goaled by Fitzgerald, gave the home team the points.