Pauley pounces for underdogs

Photo: Anthony Miller

HANDS ON . . . mascots Harrison Dale (five, left) and three-year-old Shane Keating (right) flank Rifle Range Royal Blues captain Andrew Oakes and his High Crompton counterpart, Andrew Smith.

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FOOTBALL: A THRILLING D & J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League Challenge Cup final saw Rifle Range Royal Blues defeat High Crompton 3-2 after extra-time.

More than 300 people turned out to see the David Giblin Division One outfit upset the Jack Abbott Premier Division favourites.

Daniel Knaggs put Rifle in front after 10 minutes, only for Scott Rowbottom to level matters before the break.

Andrew Smith’s own goal after 68 minutes put Rifle back in the lead, with the defender heading the ball over helpless goalkeeper Jamie Dell.

With two minutes remaining, Paul Ashton curled home a free-kick with his left foot.

A deft header from Jonathan Pauley from a set-piece delivery sealed the triumph for Rifle.

Royton FC beat Lark 2-1 in the President’s Trophy final.

Wayne Dean and Robert Quinlan netted for Royton, with Damien Schofield replying for Lark.