Coates leads way in Rangers romp
Date published: 15 December 2009
Photo: Pictures by CHRIS SUNDERLAND.
BRICK WALL . . . a surging run by St Annes’ Peter Deakin is met with strong resistance from Ovenden.
AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE:
DETERMINED Milford Marlins forced Saddleworth Rangers to roll up their sleeves and dig in for another vital victory at Shaw Hall Bank Road.
Keith Brennan's side eventually won the National Conference League division one clash 30-6 against a Leeds outfit who impressed the Rangers coach with their work-rate and desire.
Nonetheless, another two points for the home team keeps Saddleworth at the top of the division, a solitary point clear of Thatto Heath with the top two due to meet this Saturday in St Helens.
"We played well in patches against a side who were full of enthusiasm," said Brennan, who picked out man-of-the-match Michael Coates, Jason Best and Emerson Jackman as his stars on the day.
A sixth-minute try from Danny Adams and a Coates conversion put Saddleworth ahead before Milford full-back Paul Coates responded with a superb touchdown, converted by Ryan Oxtoby, seven minutes later.
Fraser Coley restored Rangers’ lead and two penalty goals increased the gap to 14-6 at half-time.
Tom Lever then scored a crucial try for Rangers, converted by Coates, before loose forward Jackman ended all doubts by following up a Simon Parrish break to score with 15 minutes left.
Winger Shaun Robinson completed the try tally, Coates finishing the match with five goals.
In division two, Oldham St Anne's had things harder than they might have expected against bottom-of-the-table Ovenden, winning 24-6 at Higginshaw Road.
David Harris scored the first try for Saints, showing a superb turn of speed to cross under the posts. Kiel Lancashire converted.
But three minutes later the Halifax side drew level when full-back Luke Brown scored off a Mickey Holden grubber kick, Matty Turner adding the goal.
Spirited Ovenden, who travelled with just 16 players, held out until the half-hour mark when Danny Chrimes created the gap to send Anthony Platt in at the right corner, Lancashire adding the conversion out wide for a 12-6 lead.
Both sides went close to scoring after the break but it was Garry Rafferty of St Anne's who went over to give the home team a 10-point cushion.
Harris then showed a good burst of speed to round three defenders and claim his second try before a late flourish ended with Paul Garratt laying off the final pass for Martin Ryan to touch down for Mick Cashin's side.
Waterhead lost once again, 46-0 away at Egremont Rangers, but to their credit they never gave up after suffering in the first half.
The Cumbrian side led 28-0 at half-time thanks to tries from Ben Walker (two), James McDonald, Paul Corkhill and Blake Mahovic and four John Paul Brocklebank goals.
Scott Beswick worked hard for the visitors, but a second Mahovic try kept Egremont in control.
Brocklebank and Walker added further scores while the home defence completed a shut-out.
