Tired Saddleworth fall to home defeat

OFFLOADING: Dane English of Oldham St Anne’s (with ball) attempts a pass to John Doherty (left) in Saints’ 46-16 win over already-promoted Widnes St Marie’s.

SADDLEWORTH Rangers suffered a 27-10 home defeat to Bradford Dudley Hill at Shaw Hall Bank Road last night, a result which means Keith Brennan’s side have one more chance left to claim the two points which would see them end the campaign in fourth place.

With promotion out of sight a long, draining campaign had clearly taken its toll on the home side, whose try scorers on the night were Shaun Robinson and Adam Walker, with Michael Coates adding a single conversion.

Rangers, whose best performer on the night was Marlon Miller, were undone by the efforts of Dudley Hill’s excellent stand-off Danny Thomas.

He scored a try, added a drop-goal and generally ensured the game went the way of the side from West Yorkshire.

Dudley Hill, who led 12-4 at half-time, scored their other tries through Kyle Bateman and Lee O’Connor, with Simon Sewell knocking over seven goals.

The result boosts the visitors’ league position, taking them from ninth in the table to sixth, one place above Rangers who have a single game left in their season.

The amateur rugby league season draws to a close for local clubs in the NCL this weekend.

With Waterhead having finished their division two campaign on a high, avoiding the bottom-two re-election spots, the focus is on Saddleworth’s home game against Millom and travelling Oldham St Anne’s up at Wath Brow in division one (both 2.30pm).


Higginshaw set for a bright future

HIGGINSHAW ARLFC have launched their new vision for the future.

The club held an open meeting last week to discuss proposals which will lead to the delivery of a brand new multi-sports venue that will benefit the local community.

Over 100 people were in attendance to hear about the plans at Shaw Road Conservative Club and Higginshaw secretary John Mellor was delighted with the response.

“We have had some very good feedback from the meeting and there have been plenty of positive comments about our presentation,” said Mellor, who gained 10 new volunteers on the night.

Plans for the new refurbished facility at St Stephen’s Street, which is set for completion within 12 months, were on show on the night.

Extra conference facilities and an extension to the gymnasium are among the changes set to be made to the club's base and the project will be funded with Lottery money and other grants.

A brand new life members initiative has also been launched, while donations of both time and money are being sought in order to take the St Stephen's Street club into the future.

Developments on the playing side will see Higginshaw field sides at under-eights, under-10s, under-15s and, possibly, under-18s level from next season.

Paul Deakin, Alan Dunn and Lorraine White are to coach the youngest age group, Craig Dickinson and Sheldon Lord will take the under-10s and Jeff Sneyd and Mark Turner are stepping in to run the under-15s side.

The open-age side will be coached by Adie Brown with David Sweeney as his assistant.


Waterhead for Braddy

MICHAEL Bradshaw, who is set to pull on a Waterhead shirt again next season after a three-year break, has joined the club’s committee as sponsorship and events manager.

He has organised an audience with Carlton Leach, the former football hooligan who became a powerful figure on the underworld scene.

The event forms the first of a three-phase fundraising plan with the aim of providing for a brand new floodlit training facility next to the club's car park, for the benefit of the under-eights right up to the open age sides.

Good attendances at the three events — details of the other two are being kept under wraps for now — should pay for the necessary work.

The comedian at the Leach afternoon is Mickey Gunn and there is also a live auction, raffle and stand-up bingo.

It takes place at the Waterhead club on Sunday, May 17 (2pm to 6pm) and is an all-ticket event.

The cost is £20 each and tickets can be obtained through Bradshaw on 07894122315.


WATERHEAD’S presentation night takes place on Saturday, May 9 (doors 7.30pm).

Wigan and Ireland forward Eamonn O’Carroll, who played his junior rugby at the Peach Road club, will be on hand to dish out the prizes and the end-of-season shin-dig also features karaoke, a disco and a buffet.Local youths toasting Lancashire success

FOUR local talents helped Lancashire’s under-19s become county champions.

Saddleworth Rangers pair Adam Jeffries and Anthony Morrison had already helped their home county see off the challenge of Yorkshire in a tight 16-12 clash at Leigh, while at the weekend Jeffries and Oldham St Anne’s duo Sean Hamilton and Luke Harrison contributed well to a 34-4 victory over Cumbria at Maryport.

Morrison, soon to be headed for Australia where he will represent Great Britain under-19s, missed the latter game with an arm injury.

After entering the half-time break 18-2 up against the Cumbrians, good running from Jeffries set up the chance from which Hamilton beat two players to score a terrific Lancashire try which was one of the highlights of the game.


Local youths toasting Lancashire success

FOUR local talents helped Lancashire’s under-19s become county champions.

Saddleworth Rangers pair Adam Jeffries and Anthony Morrison had already helped their home county see off the challenge of Yorkshire in a tight 16-12 clash at Leigh, while at the weekend Jeffries and Oldham St Anne’s duo Sean Hamilton and Luke Harrison contributed well to a 34-4 victory over Cumbria at Maryport.

Morrison, soon to be headed for Australia where he will represent Great Britain under-19s, missed the latter game with an arm injury.

After entering the half-time break 18-2 up against the Cumbrians, good running from Jeffries set up the chance from which Hamilton beat two players to score a terrific Lancashire try which was one of the highlights of the game.