It’s all hands to the pump for Rangers

RUGBY:

SADDLEWORTH Rangers, who played 48 minutes with 12 men, are up to second place in Group ‘C’ of the National Conference League’s interim campaign after a superb 18-16 win at Stanningley

Rangers defended as if their lives counted on it after the break to keep the hosts at bay.

A try from centre Junior Brandford, converted by Jack Bradbury, put the visitors in front.

Bradbury then landed a penalty, before Rangers substitute James Brennan was shown a red card for running into a melee which involved his brother Jack, who bagged a yellow card for punching.

Rangers’ 11 men soon became 10 as Anthony Morrison was also sin-binned.

A Paul Robinson try for Stanningley, goaled by Niall Murphy, reduced the arrears to 8-6 at half-time.

Back to one man down, Rangers gave themselves some breathing space when prop Chris Conway and winger Danny Bowker went over. Bradbury added a goal.

Stanningley hit back through tries from Joe Ugarte and Jamie Avison, but Murphy could only kick one conversion and Rangers held on for a plucky victory.



A STUNNING second-half display saw Waterhead register eight tries in a 60-12 demolition of Normanton Knights in Group ‘E’.

There was plenty to play for at half-time, with the local side holding a 16-6 lead thanks to tries from Darren Nixon (two) and Scott Owen, plus a brace of Carl Sneyd goals. Jimmy Parkinson (try) and Jacob Crosland (goal) replied for Knights.

The second half was a different story as Carl Highton, Dale Rowe and the outstanding Sneyd all touched down for converted tries in the opening eight minutes.

A Paul Seal try, goaled by Crosland, gave Knights a glimmer of hope.

However, Waterhead were not for letting up as Billie Melia, Mike Diveny, Matty Barren, Owen and Alan Williams crashed over, with Sneyd completing an eight-goal tally.

Waterhead remain second in the group, four points behind Widnes West Bank.



A STROKE of good fortune saw Oldham St Anne’s leave Castleford Panthers with a share of the spoils.

The scores were level at 30-30 in the Group ‘E’ encounter when, in the last action of the game, the home side’s Jonny Carter missed a straightforward conversion attempt.

Panthers went ahead in the second minute when Jonny Brummitt went over, Carter adding the goal.

Saints hit back when Jordan White broke through the hosts’ defence to send Kemar Giles on a 70-yard run to touch down under the posts. Kiel Lancashire kicked the conversion.

Panthers responded with an unconverted try from full-back Reece Henderson — only for Saints to go in front through tries from second-row forward Kevin McCormack and Greg Worrall. Lancashire added the goals.

Panthers replied with Carter scoring in the corner. Saints drew first blood in the second half. Worrall crossed and Lancashire goaled for a 10-point lead, and the latter went over himself.

Panthers registered their fourth try courtesy of Paul Steele — Carter goaled — but that man Lancashire looked to have sealed the points with a penalty.

The home side, who had won only one of their previous eight games, refused to throw in the towel.

Lee Norton slipped through for a Carter-goaled try and, from the restart, prop-forward Sam Waite went over next to the posts.

A Carter goal appeared a formality, but to the despair of the home fans and the jubilation of the visitors, his kick failed to go over the bar.