Destination Dubai

HEADING for Dubai, left to right: Shane Wilson, Liam Coates, Michael Coates, Keith Brennnan and Lee Charlesworth.

SADDLEWORTH Rangers are getting into the mood in preparation for jetting off to Dubai this weekend.

The Greenfield club take on the United Arab Emirates Falcons tomorrow evening, with the local 9pm kick off time at The Sevens stadium designed to combat stifling hot temperatures.

Travelling with the 35-strong party is a Gillette-sponsored kitbag, full of rugby league gear which will be handed out to enthusiastic locals in a further bid to boost the game in the Gulf emirate.

Rangers enter the clash having rounded off a troubled National Conference League summer Pennine league programme with a fine 36-30 win at Ovenden.

After failing to raise a team to fulfil the previous week’s fixture against the same opponents, Saddleworth put out a strong squad after being summoned in midweek by NCL bosses to explain the no-show.

Tries from Liam Coates, Tom Whitehead — the first of his hat-trick — and Emerson Jackman helped Rangers to a 16-12 half-time lead.

Ovenden hit back after the break and opened up a 26-16 lead, only for a hat-trick of tries from Matthew Fogerty, plus the culmination of Whitehead’s own treble, to edge the game the way of the visitors. Liam Coates completed a personal 14-point haul with a well-worked try.




HOLLINWOOD are on the lookout for a new group of players to enliven the squad for the coming season.

Long-serving club secretary Fred Halliwell is keen to bring about a situation whereby coach Lee Bayliss can pick his side for the weekend early — but that requires an increased level of commitment.

“In the past, players have turned up if and when they like it,” said Halliwell.

“But Lee needs to know he can count on having most of his squad available every week for training and for match days, then he would be able to name a team on Thursdays after training.”

Sessions take place Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Melrose playing fields (7pm to 9pm), new and old players welcome.


OLDHAM St Anne’s will take on Waterhead in the first National Conference League derby of the season on Saturday, November 7.

The newly-released fixture list pits the relegated Higginshaw Road club against a Waterhead side who will be hoping to take with them into the new season the form that saw Saddleworth Rangers overturned in last season Standard Cup final.

The reverse division two derby fixture at Waterhead Park is to be played out on Saturday, February 27.

Saddleworth, looking for a more consistent season in division one, travel to face Bradford Dudley Hill on the opening day of the season on Saturday, August 22.

St Anne open up their league season with a home match against fellow relegated club Eastmoor Dragons on Saturday, September 5, with Waterhead at Stanley Rangers on the same afternoon.


BARLA is on the lookout for a new Lancashire County Committee.

Roles at Chair, Secretary and Treasurer have to be filled after the previous committee resigned en bloc. The County Championship series starts in September.

Nominations should be submitted by letter to the Secretary, British Amateur Rugby League Association, West Yorkshire House, 4 New North Parade, Huddersfield HD1 5JP.