Rangers pay the penalty

RUGBY LEAGUE: MID-TABLE safety is no bad return for Saddleworth Rangers in their first season back in the top flight of the National Conference League.

A 48-16 loss at Wath Brow left the Greenfield side unable to reach the Premier Division’s end-of-season play-offs.

Crucially, though, Rangers are also safe from relegation thanks to Bradford Dudley Hill’s 40-24 loss at leaders Thatto Heath — the side who travel to Shaw Hall Bank Road tonight (7pm kick-off).

The loss in Cumbria was presided over by referee Michael Mannifield and Saddleworth will be hoping he does not dish out another three yellow cards when he takes charge again tonight.

“In the first half, we played really well,” said Brennan, who lost the services of Michael Coates, Matt Bottom and Jimmy Rogers at various stages for 10 minutes at a time.

“In the second half, I don’t want to have a go at the referee, but the penalty count was heavily in their favour and it allowed them to gain momentum.”

The game was in the balance at half-time, with Wath Brow only 18-16 ahead thanks to two tries from former Whitehaven captain Leroy Joe, one from Dave Pettitt and goals by Peter Caddy and Craig Johnstone (two).

Liam Coates, outstanding at hooker for two months now according to Brennan, tried his best to drive Rangers forward, and thanks to scores by Gareth Morgan (two) and Matt Bottom, plus two Coates goals, the game was up for grabs as the sides changed ends.

All the second-half points went to Wath Brow, though. Scott Teare (two), Phil Coyles, Andrew Stables, Andrew Hocking and Jamie Devine all touched down, with Caddy adding another conversion.