Familiar faces in fold at Rangers

SADDLEWORTH Rangers have two familiar names back in the fold as preparations for the new National Conference League division one season continue.

Half-back pair Adam Kirwan and Paul Ashton are among a reported good number of players training under the eye of first team coach Keith Brennan.

Kirwan had been working away in London which prevented him from turning out for the Greenfield club last season, while ex-professional Ashton briefly played for Oldham St Anne's last time out.

A number of promising former under-18s players are set to be handed the chance to impress. Ethan Langhorn, Josh Brown, Steven Kiss, David Orwell and Anthony Morrison — currently in Australia playing for Great Britain Community Lions under-18s — all move up to the senior grade for the coming season.

A home friendly against Skirlaugh will take place this Saturday (2.30pm kick off) and the game will be used by both clubs to give the first team and second team a run-out.

The first league fixture is down to be played on Saturday, August 22, away at Bradford Dudley Hill but may yet be switched to take place at a later date.


OLDHAM St Anne’s are also in friendly action this weekend, travelling up to old foes Wath Brow on Saturday.

Mick Cashin has brought in former Roughyeds captain Neil Flanagan to help with the coaching duties and Saints have recruited Danny Chrimes, a centre or second row from Rochdale Mayfield, while managing to retain last season’s squad ahead of a campaign in which the team will aim to bounce back from relegation to division two.

St Anne’s begin their NCL division two season with a home match against fellow relegated club Eastmoor Dragons on Saturday, September 5.


WATERHEAD, aiming to build on the success of claiming the Standard Cup at the back end of last season, are in training ahead of a pre-season friendly away at Lindley Swifts on Saturday, August 15.

A tug of war competition takes place at the club this Sunday, while it is hoped that the Masters event at Waterhead Park on Sunday, August 16, will draw the crowds.

The Peach Road side begin the season in NCL division two with an away match at Stanley Rangers on Saturday, September 5.


ST HELENS sensation Kyle Eastmond and former Great Britain legend Barrie McDermott will run the rule over local rugby league talent at a FREE three-day rugby league camp.

It is being run by Total Rugby Camps in conjunction with Oldham Council and follows up this week’s event at Counthill School.

The camp takes place at Radclyffe School between Wednesday, August 26 and Friday, August 28. The first two days will see the players put through their paces before a trial game rounds things off on the last day.

For details, contact info@totalrugbycamps.com or ring 08000437382.