Rangers must get over knockout blow

JIMMY Rogers (with ball) takes it up for Saddleworth Rangers.

RUGBY LEAGUE: SADDLEWORTH Rangers were pipped at the post by Siddal in a thrilling BARLA National Cup third-round tie.

But after finding themselves on the wrong end of a 24-22 score line, the Greenfield outfit have got no time to feel sorry for themselves — not with a vital league game on the horizon.

“We have Dudley Hill at home tomorrow and that really is a massive game for us,” said Rangers coach Keith Brennan, who awaits news on a couple of bumps and bruises to players ahead of naming his side for the National Conference League Premier Division clash (7.30pm kick-off).

Mid-table Saddleworth held the lead against their Halifax opponents up until just before half-time. An early Tom Lever try was added to by Michael Coates's conversion, with Luke Simeunovich and a Gareth Blackburn goal bringing it back to 6-6 as the sides swapped ends.

Converted tries from Blackburn and Gareth English put Siddal in command and left Rangers with plenty to do.

But the introduction of Grant Bithell spurred on the home team. Adam Jeffries and Josh Brown narrowed the gap to two points, one of which was converted by Coates.

A length-of-field move then ended with Brown grabbing his second, Coates adding a goal to send the home team in front.

But ex-Roughyeds hooker Simeon Hoyle broke to set up a Chris Marsh try. And another Blackburn goal gave the visitors a slender victory over a Rangers side for whom Matt Bottom stood out.


ROCHDALE Mayfield kept up their promotion push in NCL Division One with a 24-16 comeback win over Oldham St Anne's.
Jordan White opened the first-half scoring for Saints, collecting Kiel Lancashire's long kick to run in under the posts. Lancashire converted and added a penalty to hand Mick Cashin's men an 8-0 half-time advantage.

In a game dominated by a high penalty count, Mayfield struck back through hooker Todd O'Brien three minutes after the restart and the same player converted his try.

Lancashire added a penalty but Matthew Gartland went over twice in succession, both converted by O'Brien.

David Harris scored in the corner off a long Lancashire pass as St Anne's responded, with the latter kicking the conversion off the touchline.

Alex Eyres was then denied a score for the visitors because of a double-movement. And Mayfield secured the points when Steve Wood ran home, with O'Brien landing his fourth goal of the afternoon.