Rangers stand firm for key win

nowhere to go... Chris Conway, of Saddleworth Rangers, runs into York Acorn’s Andy Gargan.

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE: SADDLEWORTH Rangers had to call on some sterling defensive work to keep York Acorn at bay and secure an important 36-32 home win in the National Conference League Premier Division.

Acorn full-back Jon Waldron narrowed the gap for his side to just four points with five minutes left and the visitors took some stopping before the final whistle blew.

The visitors took the lead when Kyle Palmer crossed for a try which was converted by Jon Liddell, the latter player then kicking a penalty.

Michael Coates kicked his own penalty, and was teeing up again after half-back partner Grant Bithell’s try, before Acorn again went ahead when Daryl North crossed with Liddell converting.

Chris Conway and Michael Coates both scored next, with Coates kicking both conversions for a Rangers 20-14 lead at the break.

The second half had barely got under way by the time Bithell was stepping through for his second of the game, Coates adding the goal, and when man-of-the-match Shaun Robinson flew over after 52 minutes the game looked up for the York outfit.

Tries from Waldron and Steve Mackley, both converted by Lidell, reduced the deficit to four before Liam Hall had appeared to settle nerves eight minutes from time.

Waldron then got his second, but it wasn’t enough for Acorn.


OLDHAM St Anne’s recovered from a 24-12 deficit in the second half to edge a thrilling battle 36-34 against Ince Rose Bridge at Higginshaw Road.

David Harris scrambled in first for the home team in the Division One clash with Kiel Lancashire adding the goal, but Ince drew level with a try from Jordan Boyd which Ryan Baker converted before adding a penalty.

Boyd went in again and winger Lee Bamber was next to cross the line, with Baker converting.

Saints recovered to pull back to 18-12 at half-time when Danny Chrimes went in under the posts. Lancashire added the goal.

Martin Butler was next to score for the visitors — Baker converted — before St Anne’s regrouped, and efforts from Garry Rafferty and Darren Fletcher were both added to with Lancashire goals.

Fletcher then raced from his own posts to send in Rafferty, and Simon Parrish was on the scoresheet. Lancashire converted both.

The Wigan side set up an exciting finale when Wayne Leyland dived over, Baker adding the goal.

But the half-back was off-target with his next kick, attempting to convert Bamber’s second try which would have given his team a point.



Waterhead give Dragons a scare

WATERHEAD came within a whisker of ending Eastmoor Dragons’ unbeaten start to the season in Division Two.

The home team eventually won 24-20, but only after the visitors had turned down a conversion attempt in the closing stages when pressing for a winning score.


SADDLEWORTH Rangers will play host to Waterhead in the final of the John Burke under-18s Trophy (7pm). Admission is adults £2, OAPs £1, with children free.