Rangers heroic in defeat

AN EXCELLENT second-half fightback, inspired by two-try substitute Danny Adams, was insufficient to prevent Saddleworth Rangers from slipping to defeat at Thatto Heath.

The National Conference League Premier Division leaders came out on top 30-24.

But they were given a big fright by a travelling Rangers outfit who responded from being 20-0 down as the sides swapped ends to pull within six with three minutes remaining.

An error-strewn opening saw home full-back Mike Woods touch down between the posts after a knock-on by Rangers.

Winger Darren Woods also crossed after 15 minutes and doubled his tally six minutes before half-time, Mike Woods adding the goal, before Chris Frodsham ran in out wide just before half-time.

Saddleworth started well after the break and scored their first points when scrum-half Grant Bithell went through a gap to score under the posts, Michael Coates adding two points.

Five minutes later, winger Marlon Miller broke from a scrum on halfway, passing on to Tom Lever who in turn found Michael Coates. Adams finished off the superb move and after Coates had knocked over the goal it was game on with 12 points the margin.

A rare break by substitute Keiron Maddocks saw him finish in the corner and Frodsham provided a second soon after, Woods adding a third goal.

Adams then shook off four defenders to score wide on the right, Coates converting from the touchline, and after 77 minutes Bithell raced through a huge gap to set up Miller for a try in the corner. Coates landed another touchline conversion to bring the score to 30-24.

Rangers pounded the home-team line for the remainder of the game but Crusaders held on to deny them a memorable victory.

ECCLES moved off the foot of the Division One table with a 29-14 home win over Oldham St Anne's.

Saints, who have a 100-per-cent home record, just can't get going away from Higginshaw Road despite an impressive hat-trick from Greg Worrall, who opened the scoring for the visitors with an 80-yard effort.

Kiel Lancashire's boot took it to 6-0, but tries for Martin Judge and Payden Candland, plus a Mike Carney conversion, made it 10-6 to the home team.

Eccles made better use of their opportunities to register with a Carney penalty, while a try from Jake Carr helped them to an 18-6 lead at the break.

Two further Worrall tries from Jordan White passes put Saints in with a shout at 18-14 down.

But Eccles kept calm and tries by Craig Rennison and Chris Smith, plus Carney's fourth goal and a drop goal by Anthony Aldcroft, ended the scoring.

IN a battle between two struggling sides at the bottom end of Division Two, Heworth defeated travelling Waterhead 34-16.

It could have been different for the Peach Road side, who trailed by only two points as the match entered its fourth quarter.

That was before Gareth Watson, Danny Stanley and Craig Richardson tries, one converted by Tyler Craig and another by Adam Jobling, sealed the points.

Liam Watling, Sean Brough and Watson all scored tries for Heworth earlier and Ben Potter kicked a pair of conversions.

Without a win away from home this term, Waterhead responded with efforts by Dale Lowe, Craig Heaton and James Campbell, with Sean Garrett converting twice.