Waterhead back in winning form

NOT THIS TIME: Waterhead’s Chris Hepworth is grabbed by Crosfields’ Phil Bannan in the Peach Road side’s 40-14 victory.

Oldham Challenge Table

SADDLEWORTH Rangers and Waterhead are locked together at the top of the Rugby Oldham Challenge table.

After a mind-blowing defeat at Eccles and Salford Juniors the previous week — the luckless Peach Road outfit wasted chances to win the game — they bounced back with a 40-14 defeat of Crosfields.

It was Waterhead’s second success of the season in division two of the National Conference League and it was enough to see Mick Slicker’s side join Saddleworth at the summit.

Saddleworth, for their part, made it three wins out of three in division one.

In a three-way tie for second place behind Wath Brow Hornets, Keith Brennan’s boys bagged a 22-14 victory over Eastmoor Dragons to maintain their 100-per-cent record.

Rochdale Cobras have leapfrogged Oldham St Anne’s into third place, despite Chris Deakin’s Saints edging out Normanton Knights 38-32.

Cobras have made an impressive start to life in the North-West Counties League — two victories from as many games, scoring more than 40 points on each occasion — and they could soon be challenging the top two in the table.

Because Hollinwood’s Pennine League fixture at home to Selby Warriors was postponed, basement cub Higginshaw were able to make ground.

They were unable to pull off a win in their NWCL division four match against Eccles and Salford Juniors, but they can take heart from an encouraging display in a 14-4 defeat.