Brennan Hoping For Change In Fortunes

BURSTING THROUGH: Saddleworth Rangers forward Jimmy Rogers (centre) carries the attack to Ince Rose Bridge.

Amateur rugby round up

KEITH Brennan admits he is preferring life away from home at Saddleworth Rangers right now.

The Greenfield side’s latest defeat, 14-6 in an extremely tight game against Ince Rose Bridge, left the side without a division one victory at Shaw Hall bank Road since September of last year.

This weekend, Brennan’s men have the relative luxury of an away trip to face division two side Ovenden in the BARLA National Cup fourth round.

As far as league form goes, though, the Rangers coach is still hopeful that his eighth-placed side can use their games in hand to eventually get into a promotion spot.

“We have a few games in hand and play a lot of the top teams,” Brennan said.

“It is still in our own hands, which is a good thing. If it goes our way or against us, it is all down to what we do between now and the end of the season.”

As for the defeat to Ince, in a game which only contained one try, Brennan believes his team simply didn’t quite come up to scratch with ball in hand on the day.

“We just didn’t play well enough, it’s as simple as that really,” he said.

“When we did get to good field position we squandered possession too often — which was down to all the tackling we were forced to do which left everyone tired.

“We had a try disallowed in the first half (for Simon Parrish) which was a dubious decision. It would have put us 6-2 up. But we then kept on giving penalties away, which they kicked every time.

“On their try, our winger slipped as he tried to clear the ball.

“Our defence is there, it is just down to us getting smarter on attack.”

Elsewhere, in a postponed third round tie this weekend, Oldham St Anne’s — buzzing from successive away wins which have lifted them out of the drop zone — also have an away day in Halifax, this time at premier division high-flyers Siddal.

Waterhead are in league action in division two, away at second-placed Hull side Myton Warriors.


North-West Counties League

Sweeney is a derby day hit

DAVID Sweeney enhanced his lead at the head of the Man of Steel rankings by playing a starring role in Higginshaw's 28-6 derby win over Waterhead 'A' in division four.

Sweeney's prompting, probing and great kicking game — he converted six goals from as many attempts, including one from the touchline despite blustery conditions — provided a boost for Higgy in this important fixture, while prop Dane Armstrong was also influential.

Higginshaw went in front on the quarter-hour when Gareth Brindley got on the end of a break from Kris Richards and Sweeney, who converted and kicked two penalties before the half-hour.

Armstrong was next to score two minutes before the break, following good work from he impressive Adam Jewitt and Richards, with Sweeney helping the home team to a 16-0 lead.

Despite Waterhead shifting up a gear, Higgy were next in as Paul Turner chased down Sweeney's excellent kick to score by the posts.

A well-worked team try for Waterhead followed, Lee Buckley scoring with the conversion coming from James Campbell.

A superb individual effort from Turner, stepping one way then the other to dance over, was followed up by Sweeney's conversion.


SADDLEWORTH Rangers take on Oldham St Anne’s in the Standard Cup semi-final at Shaw Hall Bank Road next Wednesday, February 11 (7.15pm kick off), for the right to play Waterhead in the Good Friday final at Boundary Park. Sweeney is a derby day hit

DAVID Sweeney enhanced his lead at the head of the Man of Steel rankings by playing a starring role in Higginshaw's 28-6 derby win over Waterhead 'A' in division four.

Sweeney's prompting, probing and great kicking game — he converted six goals from as many attempts, including one from the touchline despite blustery conditions — provided a boost for Higgy in this important fixture, while prop Dane Armstrong was also influential.

Higginshaw went in front on the quarter-hour when Gareth Brindley got on the end of a break from Kris Richards and Sweeney, who converted and kicked two penalties before the half-hour.

Armstrong was next to score two minutes before the break, following good work from he impressive Adam Jewitt and Richards, with Sweeney helping the home team to a 16-0 lead.

Despite Waterhead shifting up a gear, Higgy were next in as Paul Turner chased down Sweeney's excellent kick to score by the posts.

A well-worked team try for Waterhead followed, Lee Buckley scoring with the conversion coming from James Campbell.

A superb individual effort from Turner, stepping one way then the other to dance over, was followed up by Sweeney's conversion. Pennine League


’Wood not in the Hunt

IAN Hunt's man-of-the-match performance was the highlight of Hollinwood's 38-12 defeat at local rivals Littleborough in division four.

The match was a bruising encounter and ended up being a lot closer than the recent cup clash between the teams, which Littleborough won by over 50 points.

The home side scored early but Hollinwood hit back when Mick Wilson crashed over, Paul Brooks converting. Littleborough went over again, this time without adding an extra two points, before the dangerous Alistair Williams forced his way across for a try converted by Paul Brooks, giving Hollinwood a 12-10 lead at half-time.

Littleborough's big men then came off the bench in the second half, tiring out the visitors and helping the home team rack up a further 28 unanswered points.


OLDHAM St Anne's under-18s made it through to the third round of the BARLA national Cup after winning 34-6 away at Kells.

Saints laid the platform with a strong display in the forwards, epitomised by man-of-the-match Ben Marsden.

This Sunday, St Anne's are facing their biggest game of the season so far with the visit of North-West Counties division one leaders Thatto Heath (11.45am).

Second-placed Saints trail Thatto by three points but have two games in hand over their rivals.


Match postponed

SADDLEWORTH Rangers under-18s’ scheduled home National Youth League match against Leigh Miners Rangers tonight at Shaw Hall Bank Road has been postponed due to snow and ice.