Waterhead hold on for vital win
Date published: 23 November 2010
Photo: PICTURES by CHRIS SUNDERLAND
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN... Waterhead’s Danny Knight attempts to break free from Jay Gray and James Robinson.
RUGBY:
A FIRST win in five matches came the way of determined Waterhead in National Conference League Division Two, as the Peach Road side held off a strong fightback by East Leeds to win 26-22 and move off the foot of the table.
Craig Highton opened the scoring after only two minutes and the home team quickly added to that lead with efforts from Darren Nixon and Daniel Parry, with Terry Fitzgerald adding a pair of goals to the tally.
The promotion-chasing Leeds side hit back with a try from Josh Longbottom on the stroke of half-time, which Nathan Conroy converted.
Waterhead then assumed total control with further efforts from Parry and Highton, Fitzgerald adding a goal for a 26-6 lead.
Easts again responded well and provided a late scare for the home team. Lee Cosgrove’s try on the hour inspired the visitors as Longbottom and Joey Walkin both crossed, Conroy converting twice to narrow the gap to only four points.
But Waterhead clung on to record a fourth victory of the season.
SADDLEWORTH Rangers continue to find it tough going in the Premier Division, losing their fourth consecutive game against Hull Dockers.
The Greenfield side went down 30-20 at home, a result which eased Dockers’ own predicament near the bottom end of the table.
Rangers had matched their opponents for long periods, and after the Hull side went in front through full-back Danny Ulyatt’s try and Chris Stephenson’s goal, Adam Jeffrey responded and Chris Conway levelled the game with a touchline conversion.
The visitors then took a firm grip on proceedings by scoring tries through Martin Johnson and Ulyatt. Stephenson added two conversions for an 18-6 half-time advantage.
A pair of tries from winger Jack Holden closed the gap to only four points for Saddleworth.
But Keith Brennan’s men gave away a pair of penalties which were punished by Stephenson’s boot.
Jason Bowsley and Robbie Smyth put the game to bed prior to Danny Adams’ late try which was added to by Conway.
OLDHAM St Anne’s crashed to a 24-14 loss against Milford Marlins, surrendering their unbeaten home record in the process.
Things had looked good for the Higginshaw Road side when man-of-the-match Eric Johnson crossed after four minutes.
Danny Kay doubled that advantage with a try soon after, and Kiel Lancashire’s conversion had Mick Cashin’s men in control of the contest.
Marlins half-back pair Ryan Oxtoby and Joshua Parle looked dangerous with ball in hand, though, and the pair eventually broke the home defence with Oxtoby scoring the try and landing the goal for a 10-6 scoreline at the break.
The Leeds side continued where they left off after half-time, and managed to score two tries through loose forward James Barker, Oxtoby kicking a goal.
Poor handling and indiscipline did not help the Saints cause, and when Marlins full-back Daniel Horner scored in the 67th-minute, Oxtoby converting, at 22-10 the game was over.
A penalty for ball-stealing followed to extend the lead by two points thanks to Oxtoby, before impressive centre Greg Worrall scored off a slick Chris Worth pass with three minutes left.
