Rangers need to dig deep

Paul Ashton: Could miss out for Rangers.

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE: KEITH BRENNAN is urging his side to dig deep and grind out the victories that will keep Saddleworth Rangers on top of National Conference League division one.

With pitches and weather conditions not conducive to flowing rugby, Rangers take on Milford Marlins at Shaw Hall Bank Road tomorrow (2.30pm kick off) needing to show the right spirit in order to pick up two more points.

“It will be a difficult game for us,” said Brennan, who may be forced to do without Paul Ashton due to the scrum-half’s other commitments.

“The last time we played against them, we needed two late tries to seal the game.

“But we have got a bit of a roll on now and last week’s win at Stanningley proved we can tough it out.”

Rangers are currently top of the division by a point, with second-placed Thatto Heath away at Stanningley tomorrow.

In division two, Oldham St Anne’s are at home to bottom-of-the-table Ovenden (2pm) with coach Mick Cashin taking nothing for granted.

“We don’t treat this game any differently to our others,” said the Saints coach, who hopes to have Martin Ryan (hamstring) back though prop Andy Sands (shoulder) is only a 50-50 chance.

“It is fair to say though that we should win our home matches.”

St Anne’s are currently third in the table, behind leaders Eccles and Stanley Rangers.

Waterhead face a tricky long trip to Egremont in division two searching for a first victory since Saturday, October 10.

But coach Mick Slicker is confident his team can bring home two points, despite a number of players missing.

Martin Sarsfield (shoulder), Keiran Grennan (groin) and Dale Lowe (back) could return but there will be no place on the coach for Alan Williamson (unavailable), Mark Leyden (illness) and Terry Fitzgerald (unavailable).

“We have the squad of players to go up there and win and it is all about how we perform on the day,” Slicker said.


RL FIXTURES

Saturday — BARLA National Cup, round one: Liversedge v Higginshaw (1.30pm).

National Conference League, division one: Saddleworth Rangers v Milford Marlins (2.30pm). Division two: Egremont v Waterhead (2.30pm); Oldham St Anne’s v Ovenden (2pm).

North-West Counties League, division one: Leigh East v Oldham St Anne’s ‘A’. Division three: Saddleworth Rangers ‘A’ v Dalton. Division five: Bury Broncos v Rochdale Cobras; Waterhead ‘A’ v Hindley.

Pennine League, division four: Hollinwood v Kippax Welfare ‘A’.

Sunday

Gillette National Youth League: Crusaders Colts v Saddleworth Rangers.

Under-18s North-West Counties Cup, quarter-finals: Crosfields v Oldham St Anne’s.

Under-17s North-West Counties Cup, round one: Waterhead v Hindley.

Under-16s North-West Counties Cup, round three: Oldham St Anne’s v Golborne Parkside; Thatto Heath v Waterhead.