Rangers book place in final

Hollinwood's Ray Parry (in red and black) passes Stainland's Douglas Doughty

A MIDWEEK Standard Cup victory over rivals Oldham St Anne's made it two out of three for Saddleworth Rangers.

Keith Brennan's men overcame Saints 22-6 in the remaining semi-final in front of a good crowd at their Greenfield home, following up a 38-4 BARLA National Cup round four win at Ovenden last week.

This weekend it is back to National Conference League action for the club's third game in eight days — away at division one leaders Wath Brow Hornets.

"It is a tough one up there but we go into it with confidence after two very good wins," said Brennan, who, like opposite number Mick Cashin, fielded his strongest side in the last-four tie.

An early penalty for Saddleworth man-of-the-match Michael Coates was answered by a try from Grant Bithell, his first since coming back to St Anne's after a spell playing for Rochdale Mayfield. It was a good effort too, with the half-back streaking in from 80 metres out after intercepting a long Coates pass.

But the Rangers stand-off atoned for that error three minutes before the break to level a physical, well-contested game up at 6-6.

Coates then grabbed his second of the game six minutes after the restart with a neat show-and-go, converting his own try, before Saddleworth full-back Danny Attersall got on the score sheet following up some excellent work initially by Shaun Robinson.

Coates converted and went on to add two further penalty goals to seal the victory, which sends Cup holders Rangers into the final where they will face Waterhead.

That game takes place on Good Friday, April 10, at Boundary Park (11am kick off).


Higginshaw fail to maintain lead

HIGGINSHAW let a half-time lead slip as they fell to a 36-16 loss at Leigh Central in division four.

After coming up to the mark in the opening 40 minutes, a physical, fast Leigh side took command to wrest the game away from the visitors, whose stand-out performer on the day was again David Sweeney.

The former Oldham St Anne's and BARLA player is now the runaway leader in the Rugby Oldham Challenge 'Man of Steel' standings, with six man-of-the-match nominations.

His nearest challenger is Hollinwood's Alistair Williams, who has four.

After going behind on four minutes, Higgy hit back when a break from Kris Richards was supported by Paul Turner, who popped up a peach of a pass for Gary Walsh to score, Sweeney adding the extras for a 6-4 lead.

After Leigh had hit back to go in front, centre Gareth Franklin went over out wide to reply for the visitors.

The home team hit back again just after the half-hour with another try for a 14-10 lead, before Sweeney's kick to the in-goal was collected and touched down by Gareth Brindley with Sweeney adding a conversion.

In the second half, though, the home team stepped up a gear and after taking the lead five minutes after the restart, ended any thoughts of a comeback with two further late tries.

Carl Field and Adam Horabin were the other players to stand out on the day for Higginshaw.




OLDHAM St Anne's 'A' won 34-20 away at Wigan St Patrick's in division one, Saddleworth Rangers 'A' gained an 18-0 walkover at the expense of Widnes St Marie's in division three, and Waterhead 'A' lost 34-10 at home to Eccles and Salford Juniors. Hollinwood lose to rivals


HOLLINWOOD fell to a disappointing defeat to rivals Stainland Stags at home, going down 16-14 in a game they could easily have won.

There was controversy — the referee didn't award a conversion kick despite both touch judges raising their flags — but it was the poor ball control that blighted Hollinwood's efforts in the first half that was a major factor in a 10th league defeat of the season, which keeps the team third-bottom of division four.

Matthew McCullough scored early on for the home team but after that plenty of loose ball fell the way of the Stags, who entered the half-time break leading 6-4.

Mick Wilson crashed over in the second half for a try which Paul Brooks converted, before the visitors hit back with a breakaway effort.

Rick Roberts then crossed for a Hollinwood try, which was followed by the controversial Brooks goal attempt.

With only a few minutes left, the visitors made a quick dash for the line to nick the points.

John Byrom was man-of-the-match for the home team, with Wilson, Ian Hunt and Pete Jackson all impressing too.


St Anne’s face big Cup test

A HUGE weekend lies in wait for Oldham St Anne's under-18s as they travel to face one of the most formidable amateur sides in the country.

Saints are away at Stanley Rangers in the quarter-finals of the BARLA National Cup. The Wakefield-based outfit are top of the Yorkshire Combination premier division and to get to this stage defeated Widnes St Marie's, who head the North-West Counties top flight, to claim the tag of competition favourites.

St Anne's are also in the hunt for honours, though, and will enter the game in confident mood following a 44-14 home victory over Wigan St Jude's.

Forwards Ben Marsden and Michael Arrowsmith stood out, as did backs Jordan White and Callum Casey.

The team have two matches remaining in the NWC division one season, against St Jude's and — in a likely all-or-nothing title decider — current leaders Thatto Heath Crusaders.


Saddleworth in action

THE FLOODLIGHTS will be switched on once again at Shaw Hall Bank Road tonight, as Saddleworth Rangers under-18s take on Leigh East in the Gillette National Youth League (7.30pm kick off).

Phil Costin's youngsters are a promising bunch and the game, which pits Rangers — eighth in the table — against Easts in seventh looks set to be a cracker, as the race for a top-six play-off place come the end of the season hots up.

Saddleworth have improved as the season has gone on and with a match away at Featherstone Lions only a couple of weeks away, a play-off spot is well within sight.

Especially if the team continues to play in the manner it did in the 48-0 home defeat of Gateshead Thunder.

"We played exceptionally well," said Costin. "It is so tough in this league but if we can get fit bodies out on the meadow then we are capable of competing with anyone."

Scorers against Gateshead were Anthony Morrison — who played for GB Community Lions under-18s in the 42-22 home defeat to France — Stephen Nield, Steven Kiss (two), Danny Bowker, Scott Owen, Callum Lee and James Greenwood.