Brennan not disheartened at early defeat for Rangers

CAUGHT... Saddleworth Rangers forward Adam Walker (on ground) is tackled by Skirlaugh duo Matty Danville (left) and Sean Wildbore (right).

RUGBY LEAGUE: SADDLEWORTH Rangers coach Keith Brennan was pleased with his side's efforts in defeat to Skirlaugh.

Back in the National Conference League premier division after last season's promotion, Rangers went down to a 28-14 home loss.

It was a tight game, though, and Brennan expects it will have done his younger players good.

"We did well, overall, and we take a lot of positives out of it," he said.

"We gave away a number of penalties which they kicked and a couple of their tries we felt we could have prevented.

"Take that away and there is very little in it.

"Skirlaugh are a good, well-organised side and it gives us an indication of the level we need to be at."

Matt Bower was the destroyer-in-chief with the boot, the first of his five goals opening the scoring after a penalty before Mike Johnson raced home, with Bower converting.

Rangers responded when Ben Walters crossed, Michael Coates adding two further points.

But another Bower penalty and a conversion following Johnson's second try, answered by a Coates goal, left the visitors 16-8 in front at half-time.

Saddleworth began the second period on the front foot and Coates crashed over, adding a goal to reduce Rangers' deficit to only two points.

Ricky Hough's penalty gave Skirlaugh breathing space and Danny Moss finished off a flowing move 13 minutes from time, before Bower's try and goal sealed the points.

Top performer on the day for Rangers was full-back Shaun Robinson.