amateur rugby: Flanagan looks for cup backing
Reporter: by KEVIN RICHARDSON
Date published: 19 March 2009
SADDLEWORTH’S Adam Walker (above) tries to get a pass away in the tackle in Rangers’ 28-22 National Conference League division one win over Shaw Cross Sharks.
SADDLEWORTH Rangers chairman Terry Flanagan is calling on supporters to turn out in force for next Wednesday’s Ace Insurance (Europe) BARLA National Cup quarter-final tie at home to Siddal (kick-off 7.30pm).
Flanagan is hoping a vociferous following at Shaw Hall Bank Road will spur Rangers to glory against one of the favourites for the competition.
Flanagan said: “I want to really crank up the atmosphere, because this is a big game.
“We are only two only two rounds away from reaching the final and I would like to see as many people here as possible.
“Siddal are going really well in the premier division of the National Conference League. They are also ran Swinton close in the Challenge Cup and beat Oldham St Anne’s in an earlier round of this competition.
“But if we can get a good crowd under the floodlights, it might just make the difference.”
Siddal, who are coached by Oldham winger Lee Greenwood, will be confident of reaching the last four. They are second in the top flight but have a game in hand on leaders Leigh Miners.
But Rangers, who are one division below Siddal, can boast a proud record in the National Cup. They have lifted the coveted piece of silverware on three consecutive occasions in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
The other three quarter-final games takes place this weekend.
Queens are at home to Leigh East, West Hull entertain Cumbrian outfit Ellenborough Rangers and Sharlston Rovers, who lost to the Roughyeds in the third round of this season’s Carnegie Challenge Cup, visit Wigan St Cuthbert’s.
Meanwhile, Rangers are leading the way in the Rugby Oldham Challenge standings.
They have opened up a 12-point lead over Rochdale Cobras thanks to 28-22 victory over Shaw Cross Sharks.
Cobras were without a fixture last weekend.
Familiar tale
HOLLINWOOD completed their home fixtures in division four of the Pennine League with an all too familiar tale of woe.
It was a typical curate’s egg of a display as they went down 34-6 to Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks.
Good in spells, Hollinwood ultimately paid the penalty for passes going astray and missed tackles.
Once again tackling above his weight, Ian Hunt was the home side’s stand-out player. Alistair Williams, Paul Brooks and Rob Penswick also impressed, so too John Byrom, who scored Hollinwood’s only try on a disappointing afternoon. Brooks sent over the conversion.
Fred Halliwell’s side complete their season with a trip to Dudley Hill on Saturday, March 28.
FIVE local players are in the Lancashire squad for the BARLA County Championship.
Coach Neil Jukes has named 24 players in the build up to the first game against Roses rivals Yorkshire at Ince Rose Bridge on Friday, March 27 (kick-off 7pm).
Higginshaw, who play in division four of the North-West Counties League division, can boast Sean Stubbs and Paul Turner, while David Sweeney and David Cookson have been called up from Oldham St Anne’s.
Jimmy Rogers makes up the quintet. He marked his return from a kidney infection by scoring a try in Saddleworth Rangers’ defeat of Shaw Cross Sharks last weekend.
SADDLEWORTH Rangers slipped to a 26-16 defeat at home to title-chasing Celtic Crusaders in the Gillette National Youth League.
Waterhead, who are bottom of the table without a point to their name, were without a fixture.
LOCAL RL star Barrie McDermott is the star attraction at Oldham CC’s sportsmen’s dinner at the Pollards tomorrow night (6.30pm for 7pm).
The former GB and Leeds forward is the guest speaker at the cricket club function. Tickets cost £25 and can be obtained by ringing Mel Whittle on 07974 235502.
Pennine League
SADDLEWORTH Rangers are on the up in division three of the North-West Counties League.
They moved out of the bottom two after a 22-10 win over Haresfinch and, with games in hand, they will be looking to finish in mid-table.
Waterhead were beaten 18-0 at Woolston Rovers in division four, while the game between Walney Central and Oldham St Anne’s in division one was postponed.
