Rangers book last-four slot

Higginshaw’s Nick Williams tries to break through the challenge of Widnes Tigers’ Danny Cooney and Martin Hill. More pictures and report on Thursday

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AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE:

SADDLEWORTH Rangers bounced back from an unexpected league defeat at the hands of Thornhill Trojans to move into the semi-finals of the Standard Cup.

A 22-0 win for Keith Brennan’s side at Waterhead Park on Sunday saw the current holders of the prestigious local trophy dumped out of the competition and Rangers will now play host to Oldham St Anne’s in the semi-finals.

The other finalist will be provided by the last-four tie between Higginshaw and Rochdale Cobras, with the Oldham Amateur League’s showpiece event taking place on Good Friday, April 2, at Manor Park.

Results went against all of the local National Conference League sides the previous day with Saddleworth, Waterhead and Oldham St Anne’s tasting defeat.

Thornhill pulled off a shock to defeat division one leaders Rangers 24-22 in a thrilling clash in Dewsbury.

The game ended controversially with Saddleworth winger Shaun Robinson denied a hat-trick try in injury time due to a forward pass, but overall Thornhill were good value for the points.

Robinson’s first came after only 90 seconds, with Michael Coates adding the conversion, but two James Craven tries and three Mark Hodgson goals gave the Trojans a 14-6 half-time lead.

Wayne Wilson increased the home team’s lead only for Robinson’s second try, again converted by Coates, to bring the visitors back into the contest.

Hodgson then grabbed a try of his own and added a goal but Rangers responded well and, with Adam Walker leading the attack, scored through Emerson Jackman and Gareth Davies, Coates kicking a third goal. It wasn’t enough, though.

In division two, the promotion hopes of Oldham St Anne’s suffered a blow with the team losing 20-16 at Crosfields.

Danny Kay’s try and Kiel Lancashire’s conversion after only three minutes put the Saints in front but the home team levelled through Anthony Monks, who added the goal to his own try.

Winger Phil Bannon touched down to help Crosfields to a 10-6 lead at the break and after sin-binnings for Monks and Lancashire, the home team went further in front through a Matty Barber score.

David Cookson then closed the gap, but with five minutes remaining Dave Bowden’s try and a Monks goal ensured that Lee Forsythe’s late try and Lancashire’s goal would be no more than consolations.

Waterhead’s hopes of climbing away from the re-election zone in division two suffered a blow as they were beaten 12-6 at home by East Leeds.

A Ben Walkin try and Steve Parnell goal made it 6-0 to the visitors at half-time only for Darren Nixon to cross two minutes in to the second period, Mick Diveney levelling with his conversion.

But soon after the Leeds side went in front once more, hooker Dave Green touching down for a score which Parnell converted.