Rangers up to Standard

Photo: Picture by VINCENT BROWN.

BATTERING RAM... Danny Adams uses his speed and power to score Rangers’ second try.

RUGBY:

OLDHAM St Anne's coach Mick Cashin felt his mix-and-match side were unlucky to exit the Standard Cup last night.

Saints went down 12-8 at Saddleworth Rangers to leave the competition at the first-round stage, following a keenly-fought contest.

And Cashin, who praised the efforts of try-scoring winger Connor Karren, Mark Lees and Luke Wallace in stepping up to the first-team plate, said there was very little to separate the two sides under the floodlights at Shaw Hall Bank Road.

"There were a lot of mistakes from both teams, but I was pleased with our effort," said Cashin, who now focuses on a home game against Milford Marlins in National Conference League Division One on Saturday (2pm kick-off).

BARLA Great Britain centre Greg Worrall scored for Saints in the 16th minute to give the visitors the lead at Greenfield.

Veteran loose forward Emerson Jackman went over shortly before the half-hour to level the game and Chris Conway's conversion gave Rangers a slender advantage.

Three minutes before half-time, Saints regained the advantage through a try from Karren.

But Danny Adams responded two minutes later to help Saddleworth to a 10-8 lead at the break.

The clash remained on a knife-edge for the whole of the second half, with the only additional score coming from the boot of Conway, who converted a penalty goal in the final minute to put holders Rangers through to the next round.

"It was a typical derby and both teams had chances," said Rangers coach Keith Brennan, whose side face Hull Dockers at home in the National Conference League Premier Division on Saturday (2.30pm).

Prop forward Carl Fields and full-back Shaun Robinson — who is about to jet off to France to represent the NCL Eagles — played well for Saddleworth, as did second-team men Russell Cawdron and Charles Davies.