Rangers kicked aside by Evans

STOP RIGHT THERE . . . Waterhead's Matthew Barran is tackled by Eccles' Steve Barry during the visitors 30-16 victory at Peach Road.

SADDLEWORTH Rangers suffered a second defeat of the season, going down 35-16 away to Millom in National Conference League division one.

It was a tough afternoon for Keith Brennan's visitors, who conceded four tries and scored three themselves, only for nine goals from the home side's Paul Evans to tilt the balance in favour of the Cumbrians.

Rangers, who remain top of the division ahead of Castleford Panthers — defeated at the same ground seven days earlier — were 14-4 down at half-time.

An interception try from Joe Moyes, an Evans penalty and a converted effort from Ross Brooks were answered by a Ben Walters try for Saddleworth.

James Newton extended that lead with a try and with Evans converting and then landing a pair of penalties and a drop goal, the game was slipping away from Rangers.

Danny Earley's try and a Michael Coates conversion brought some hope, but two more Evans penalties and his last goal following Brooks' second try secured the points.

Simon Parrish grabbed a late consolation which Coates also goaled.

OLDHAM St Anne's extended their lead at the top of division two with a comprehensive 56-12 away win at Egremont.

Heavy traffic meant Saints arrived just in time for kick-off, but the visitors still took control from the start and led 20-12 at half-time on a torrid afternoon for the Cumbrian side.

St Anne's went on to score a further 36 unanswered points in a scintillating display.

Scrum-half Jordan White was at the hub of most of the action and while he didn't score he created plenty for his team-mates.

Daniel Chrimes, man-of-the-match Andy Sands, John Gillam, Anthony Platt and Kiel Lancashire all crossed for the visitors, with Chris Carter getting a brace and Danny Kay racking up a hat-trick.

Lancashire kicked eight goals, completing a most satisfactory afternoon's work for Mick Cashin's men.

WATERHEAD lost 30-16 at home to Eccles and Salford Juniors, who moved up to second place in the division two table.

The result was based on a dominant first-half performance which saw the visitors establish a 16-0 lead.

Steve Barry and player-coach Anthony Murray scored tries before the break, Scott Bowden converting twice and adding two penalty goals.

Bowden was again on the mark with the boot after the break, before Ben Williamson crossed for the visitors' third try.

The dangerous Terry Fitzgerald and Craig Highton both scored, Chris Hough converting once, as the home side threatened to come back into it.

But another Bowden penalty and an interception try and goal from the same man sealed the win, despite a late Mark Wyatt try which Hough added to for Mick Slicker's men.