Small change for defeated Rangers

RUGBY LEAGUE:

MINOR tweaks are all that Saddleworth Rangers need to turn narrow defeats into victories, according to their coach Keith Brennan.

The Greenfield club lost their fifth National Conference League Premier Division game of the season, 26-22 at Wigan St Judes.

It would have been a different tale had Rangers not had a number of late tries disallowed.

But Brennan wasn't happy with making excuses and wants his side to learn from their errors in an unforgiving league.

"We didn't do ourselves any favours," he said. "We had three or four tries disallowed, but it was a bit worrying how we let theirs in.

"Sometimes you don't get the rub of the green. But I would rather put it down to some small elements of our game that need tweaking.

"When we manage to do that, we will be alright."

Stand-off Michael Coates was again the brightest player on show for Rangers, scoring a try and having two disallowed while kicking three conversions.

Judes took an early lead through Steve King's try as the home side dominated the early exchanges, Scott Robinson converting.

Robinson then crossed himself after a powerful run to make it 10-0, before Ben Walters made the most of a Michael Coates break to run home between the posts, Coates adding the goal.

Both teams missed chances to score again before Judes went in front through Daryl King's try four minutes before the break.

Two minutes after that, the Wigan side were celebrating again when brother Steve King crossed to make it 18-6, with the visitors recovering in the final minute of the opening period when Walters grabbed his second, Michael Coates converting.

Rangers started the second half well and it was against the run of play that winger Ryan Ainscough broke away to score, Robinson knocking it over from straight in front.

Michael Coates brought Saddleworth back into it with a solo effort he also converted and on the hour, Robinson's penalty gave Judes a 26-18 lead.

Back roared Rangers and after 67 minutes, following excellent work from substitute Chris Conway, Fraser Coley squeezed over the line.

This time, Michael Coates could not add the goal — his only miss of the afternoon.

Another Coley try 13 minutes from the end reduced the deficit but despite being camped on the opposition line until the final whistle, the visitors couldn't manage another score.




A 28-22 defeat at Millom leaves Oldham St Anne's still searching for a first away win of the season in Division One.



Coach Mick Cashin made seven changes to the squad because of injuries and with three players away in Malta with the Lancashire team.




HUNSLET Warriors extended their 100-per-cent record in Division Two at the expense of Waterhead, winning 42-6.