Cup joy for Rangers

Amateur rugby

A LIAM Coates try five minutes from time helped Saddleworth Rangers overcome a strong fightback from Castleford Lock Lane and move into the third round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

It was hard work for Keith Brennan’s men, who were a man down for most of the game following the sending off of Jason Best in the opening quarter.

But despite seeing their 16-0 half-time lead disappear, Rangers edged home 20-16 to claim a place in Tuesday’s draw, where they will now face professional opposition.

First-half tries from Matt Bottom and Fraser Coley, plus four goals from man-of-the-match Michael Coates, gave Saddleworth a lead at the break that would have been greater had Emerson Jackman not been held up over the line.

But Lock Lane, who had beaten Waterhead in the previous round, fought back with tries from Chris Stockton, Chris Turner and Mark Spears, plus two Wayne Hardy conversions, to balance the game on a knife edge before Coates settled it.

The positive recent form of Oldham St Anne’s came to an end, as they lost 28-10 at Stanningley in National Conference League division one.

After falling behind to a try from Eddie Norfolk, converted by man-of-the-match Martin Wood, Saints responded through a Paul Garrett try, created and converted by Kiel Lancashire.

Norfolk went over for another Wood-goaled effort midway through the first half and that was how it stayed until the break.

Stanningley went further ahead through a Stuart McGill try, Wood adding a touchline conversion, before a well-worked move involving Rick Badby and Paul Ashton set up a Danny Kay score. But two further Wood tries sealed a home victory.

Waterhead’s home match against Heworth was called off due to a frozen pitch.