Seventh heaven for Saddleworth

Saddleworth Rangers’ Josh Brown takes on the West Cumbria defence.

SADDLEWORTH Rangers 'A' kept their division three promotion hopes alive with a 42-8 home victory over Heysham Atoms.

Rangers claimed seven tries for the second week in succession, in the process stretching the second team's winning run to four matches.

In atrocious first-half conditions, Saddleworth ran in four converted tries through Lars Haigh, Danny Atherton, Chris Reilly and Ben Walters to lead 24-8 at the interval.

The second half was one-way traffic with further tries arriving from Kevin Fitzpatrick, Steven Lees and Haigh, all converted by the metronomic boot of Atherton who ended the game with seven goals from as many attempts.

A DRAMATIC twist saw Leigh Central deny Higginshaw the home win they seemed to have secured in division four.

Leading 10-4, Higgy seemed set to take two points until the visitors squeezed in at the right corner and converted from the touchline.

Sadly for the home support, Higginshaw failed to get themselves into a position from which to launch a drop goal attempt and the spoils were shared in a 10-10 draw.

Higgy ripped into their opponents from the off, Gary Walsh and Gareth Brindley both having opportunities to score before Michael Cadd blasted his way over, David Sweeney — who had played for Lancashire the previous night — converting.

An unconverted try pulled the score back to 6-4 at half-time and the visitors opened up after the break with all guns blazing.

Higginshaw then increased their lead when man-of-the-match Ryan O'Donnell chased down a Chris Tomlin kick, Sweeney missing the conversion in blustery conditions.

Though the home side then pressed hard for the try which would have sealed the game, Leigh Central's last-ditch effort ensured it finished with honours even.

A 24-14 AWAY victory at Roose Pioneers saw oldham St Anne's 'A' pick up two vital division one points.

Tries in the first half from Paul Spencer and Kevin Collins, plus three Kiel Lancashire goals, put Saints ahead 14-0 before the hosts crossed for their first try in injury time.

The visitors extended their advantage early in the second half through tries from Andy Deakin and Paul Garrett, Lancashire adding a goal. Roose finished off the scoring with two tries from Paul Bowness and a Steve Perry conversion.

WATERHEAD 'A' lost 32-4 away at Leyland Warriors in division four.