Geener happy to finish on a high

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE:

WATERHEAD coach Paul Geener hailed the completion of ‘mission impossible’ after his side held their nerve to end the campaign on a high with a 26-22 away win at Ovenden in National Conference League division two.

“Things weren’t going well earlier in the season. The committee indicated we had to avoid the bottom three,” he said.

“At one stage it looked too tough, but we’ve achieved mission impossible and I’m delighted.

“A few months ago we would have lost a game like this. We panicked when they came back into it but now we’re playing like a team and the spirit shone through.”

Scrum-half Aaron Browne got the ball rolling with a 17th minute try, converted by Sean Garrett, but the visitors’ nerves were jangling when Brett Steele touched down just before the interval.

Tries courtesy of prop William Schofield and Browne restored confidence for Waterhead.

Skipper Kieran Grennan weighed in with the highlight of a lively encounter, running from his own half and beating five men before touching down.

The hosts kept plugging away, with Kurt Sutcliffe and Gareth Jones efforts converted on both occasions by Dean McCallion.

On-song Garrett and Terry Fitzgerald notched penalties and, despite a late try from Matt Turner and a McCallion goal, Waterhead held on to earn the victory.



OLDHAM ST ANNE’S were left celebrating after their promotion to division one was rubber-stamped courtesy of Stanley Rangers’ 42-20 defeat at Castleford Lock Lane.

It means that Mick Cashin’s men, who finished their season last week, cannot possibly now be caught in second spot.

It is still up for grabs in division one for SADDLEWORTH RANGERS, who were also without a game on Saturday.

After losing 12-7 in controversial circumstances to Thatto Heath last Wednesday evening, Keith Brennan’s side sat it out as Thatto followed up that victory with a 70-12 home thumping of Millom.

It means Thatto are now top, with Rangers in second three points clear of Bradford Dudley Hill. Three sides gain automatic promotion to the premier division.