Badby blow for Saints

OLDHAM St Anne’s head into tomorrow’s game at Castleford Panthers (2pm kick off) without stand-off Rick Badby, who aggravated an old arm injury in the 30-4 home defeat to high-flying Wath Brow.

The loss against the Cumbrians was Saints’ fifth National Conference League division one defeat of the season and coach Mick Cashin is looking for a better level of performance from his side.

“We will probably make a few changes to freshen things up a bit and to keep people on their toes,” Cashin said. “Wath Brow were a good side but we have been playing better than results suggest and we need to lift ourselves.”

Keith Brennan, coach of Saddleworth Rangers, is hopeful that his side can kick on following last week’s excellent 20-4 victory at Millom.

Rangers are back on home soil against Stanningley (2.30pm kick off) and though they will miss the services of Adam Clayton (hamstring), Brennan picks from an otherwise healthy squad.

“Our aim is to improve week-in, week-out and hopefully we can do that, as well as getting the small things right as we did last week,” Brennan said.

Saddleworth, the only team in division one to have conceded less than 100 points, are currently in fifth place but with games in hand on all the sides above them.

In division two, Waterhead are forced into a number of changes when travelling to Wakefield outfit Stanley Rangers (2pm).

Coach Mick Slicker is without Paul Lord (hand), Alan Williamson (knee), Chris Charlesworth (unavailable), Keiran Grennan (hamstring) and Steve Standring (calf).

However, there are hopes that long-term absentee Danny Day (ankle ligaments) will make his comeback, along with Danny Mortin and Rory Freek (calf).

Stanley are coached by Gary Lord, who was under the charge of Slicker when the pair were at Keighley Cougars.

Waterhead are aiming to build on last week’s 22-20 home win over Hull Isberg and pick up points that would strengthen their mid-table position.




HILLSIDE Hawks trio Beth Sutcliffe, Andrea Dobson and Jenny Welsby will be seeking to make it two wins from two when the England Women’s rugby league team take on France tomorrow.

All three played their part in a 72-0 thrashing of Russia yesterday in the team’s opening World Cup group stage clash at Stockland Park, Kawana, on Australia’s Sunshine Coast.