Pack leads the way for Rangers

A BIG effort from the Saddleworth Rangers pack provided the platform on which a vital 28-16 away win at Eastmoor Dragons was achieved.

Jason Best picked up the man-of-the-match award for his efforts in a National Conference League division one victory, amid very blustery conditions, that boosts Rangers’ hopes of ending the season on a high.

Ben Walters levelled the game up after Saddleworth had fallen behind early on to a Richard Colley effort, before Best’s determined run brought him a try which was enhanced by teenage stand-off Ethan Langhorn.

However, Rangers found themselves 12-10 down as the teams entered half-time thanks to tries from Michael Jedynak and Tom Sharpe.

A superb 70-metre break from Tom Lever then led to Walters crossing for his second and Dave Hewitt was next in for Saddleworth in a move which swept from wing to wing.

Eastmoor hit back with a Steve Harber effort but two penalties from Langhorn and a James Whalley try on the back of a period of sustained pressure, made the game safe.


RELEGATION to division two is firmly staring Oldham St Anne’s in the face following a 26-17 defeat at home to Normanton Knights.

Kiel Lancashire’s penalty put Saints two points up before the Knights went ahead with Mick Butterfield’s try, converted by Mick Hill.

Another Lancashire penalty completed the first-half scoring, but the visitors then extended the lead through Butterfield’s second, again converted by Hill.

Lancashire then went into the sin bin for protesting Darren Fletcher’s disallowed try, before Chris Worth created an effort that counted for Grant Bithell, Lancashire adding the extras 10-12.

Two more Hill penalties edged the Knights ahead before Danny Kay forced his way over, Lancashire levelling the scores before putting Saints in front with a drop goal at 17-16.

But two late Knights tries, for Paul Seal and Chris Woolford, plus a Hill conversion, sealed the points.


WATERHEAD picked up a point in an 18-18 draw away at Crosfields in division two.

Craig Noone’s try and a Jimmy Williams conversion put the home side ahead before Waterhead substitute Chris Charlesworth went over for a Paddy Slicker-goaled effort.

Crosfields went ahead on 33 minutes through winger Matt Thomas, the visitors hitting back with a Slicker try which Shaun Garrett converted.

It was all square at 12-12 at half-time after Williams had added a penalty.

Mark Wyatt then put Waterhead in front after 42 minutes, Garrett converting, before Phil Bannon’s try and a Williams goal made it level.