North West Counties League

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE: OLDHAM St Anne’s, inspired by three-try Gary Rafferty, avenged their opening-day defeat at Blackpool Scorpions with a 36-10 win at Higginshaw Road in division one of the North-West Counties League.

Saints hit the ground running when Dominic Igoe forced his way over in the fourth minute.

Another score followed three minutes later when Rafferty was on the end of a chip through by Paul Garratt. Rafferty also added the goal.

Andy Deakin got in on the act following a break down midfield from Ryan Harley to score out wide, with Rafferty landing the touchline conversion for a 16-0 lead.

The Scorpions were playing attractive rugby with stand-off Gareth Chadwick leading the way, and they finally got on the scoresheet with a try from centre John Parker mid-way through the half.

However, Saints hit back with Rafferty scoring a second try and winger John Lamb holding off two defenders to touch down in the corner.

The home side conceded back to back penalties on their own line just before the break, and Scorpions scored under the posts thanks to loose forward Carl Ethrington.

The second half was a scrappy affair with both sides guilty of conceding possession and penalties.

A solo effort try for Ben Ingham extended Saints’ lead — Kevin Collins added the goal — and on the last play of the game, Garratt hoisted the ball over the Blackpool defence for Rafferty to claim his hat-trick. Garratt made no mistake with the conversion.




Waterhead maintained their promotion challenge in division five with a hard-fought 14-12 win at Eccleston Lions.

The Peach Road outfit are four points adrift of leaders Hindley with a game in hand.

The games featuring Woolston Rovers and Saddleworth Rangers in division three and Rochdale Cobras at home to Wigan Bulldogs in division five were postponed.