Rangers stung by Hornets

Waterhead’s Will Schofield is stopped by the Eccles defence.

THE promotion prospects of Saddleworth Rangers suffered a blow as they lost 30-8 away at Wath Brow Hornets in National Conference League division one.

The result came about despite a closely contested first-half, at which point the Cumbrian side only held a 12-8 advantage.

After the break, though, the home team extended their lead decisively to move four points clear at the head of the table, leaving Rangers only a point clear of a drop zone which now features fixture-less Oldham St Anne’s, following Normanton’s home win over West Bowling.

Michael Coates gave Saddleworth an early lead with a penalty, before James Toman responded with a try that was embellished by a Ryan Robb goal.

Rangers hit back after 32 minutes, James Whalley’s try and a Coates goal handing the visitors an 8-6 lead.

But Scott Teare’s try and Robb’s conversion put Wath Brow ahead at the break.

Further scores followed for the home side from Craig Devine (two) and Michael Maxwell, while Tom Lever and Lee Charlesworth went close in vain for Keith Brennan’s side.

In division two, Waterhead suffered a 40-12 home reverse to resurgent Eccles and Salford Juniors.

The game was as good as won by half-time, at which point the visitors had established a 26–6 lead.

Tries from Scott Bowden, Mike Davies, Matthew Gilligan, Anthony Murray and Mike O’Boyle were added to by three John McAtee goals for Eccles, while Waterhead’s response came through a Michael Diveny try converted by Terry Fitzgerald.

Two sin-binnings in the opening period for Andrew Cheetham and Fitzgerald didn’t help the cause of Mick Slicker’s side.

Martin Judge extended the lead after the break, as did Murray and Korie Higginbottom afterwards, while young prop Jordan Pye notched a consolation for the home side.