Highton aims for some festive cheer

ON THE ATTACK. . . Saddleworth Rangers back Shaun Robinson tries to get his side moving against Wigan St Patricks.

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE; GARRY Highton believes his Waterhead team will be approaching their best form in the run-up to Christmas.

A 24-10 home win over Elland in National Conference League Division Two was the team's second triumph of the season.

But the coach of the Peach Road side, whose son Craig Highton was voted as man-of-the-match by the staff of the West Yorkshire outfit, says that with players still getting to understand each other's games it will be a while before the team can regularly find their best.

"We have got numbers back in training and it is shaping up very well," Highton said. "We are making steady progress."

As for the Elland game, Waterhead were forced to make a stirring second-half comeback after finding themselves 10-8 down at half-time to a side only this season admitted to the league.

Joe Melia gave Highton's men the lead in the 15th minute only for Dean Bishop to level for Elland.

Matthew Barran then crossed for Waterhead prior to Liam Manning stepping his way in, with Cayci Pearson adding the goal.

In the second half, the runs of Darren Nixon caused havoc and after the centre had got a try of his own, Sean Garrett converting, Craig Highton went over with Terry Fitzpatrick goaling.

Dale Lowe rounded things off for the home team to put an end to Waterhead's three-game losing run.


SADDLEWORTH Rangers made it four wins from eight played in the Premier Division by seeing off bottom-of-the-table Wigan St Patricks 29-12 at Shaw Hall Bank Road.

Michael Coates stepped through and converted his own try on 10 minutes but after Phil Wood had been sin-binned for persistent offences, Joe Brown's effort and an Ian Schofield goal made it all level at 6-6.

A piece of individual magic seven minutes after the break brought full-back Shaun Robinson a try for Rangers, Coates adding a penalty after converting.

Brett Robinson's try and Schofield's goal pulled the deficit back to two points.

But Coates converted his own try and Chris Conway then lined up a successful kick at goal after Coates and Pats forward Mel Alker had been sin-binned.

With five minutes left, Adam Jeffrey crossed with Conway adding both a conversion and a drop goal, inflicting a sixth straight loss on the visitors.


OLDHAM St Anne's beat Rochdale Mayfield 28-22 at home in Division One.

Saints stormed out of the blocks at Higginshaw Road to establish a 14-0 led thanks to tries by scrum-half Jordan White, full-back Garry Rafferty and forward Chris Worth, Kiel Lancashire improving White's effort.

Back came Mayfield and tries for Todd O'Brien (two) and Joe Robinson were accompanied by goals for O'Brien and Aiden Gleeson.

Within seven minutes of the restart David Cookson squeezed in at the corner, Lancashire landing the conversion.

Dave Harris handed off three defenders to claim a well-deserved try and Lancashire added a goal and a penalty to finish Saints' scoring.