Big boys avoid early exit

gotcha: Jimmy Rodgers and Adam Jeffrey, of Saddleworth Rangers, grab Hollinwood’s Pete Jackson.

RUGBY: SADDLEWORTH Rangers and Oldham St Anne’s showed their superiority in the opening exchanges of this year’s MP Mellor Products Standard Cup competition.

Rangers overpowered Hollinwood 50-6 in a preliminary round tie, while Saints also hit the half-century mark in a first-round win over Fitton Hill Bulldogs.

With the Rangers pitch unavailable, Hollinwood had home advantage, but the gap in terms of ability was soon evident.

Rangers went over for a couple of early tries as the hosts struggled to cover across the pitch.

Hollinwood, missing four regulars, never let their heads drop and scored a deserved try through Luke Wrigley. He capped a fine display by diving on to a smart chip kick over the Rangers line. Andy Gorey added the conversion for the North-West Counties League side.

Kevin Collins led the Hollinwood pack well, while Pete Jackson gave his all against the bigger and more experienced visitors.

In the backs, Pete Davies again stood out and he was supported by Paddy Jennings, Gorey and Wrigley.

Rangers are now away to Folly Lane, with the winners going through to the semi-finals.

Saints booked a place in the last four as they ran in 10 tries in a 52-0 defeat of Fitton Hill.

Hooker Danny Kay opened the scoring after four minutes, and further efforts from Niall Collins, Danny Earley, Kevin McCormack, Chris Carter and Greg Worrall, plus three goals from Lee Forsythe, saw the visitors lead 30-0 at the break.

Despite the hard graft put in by Joe Tindall, David Brooks and Aaron Fleming for the home side, Saints continued to pile up the points.

Centre David Harris strolled over five minutes after the restart, McCormack and Earley crossed again, so too substitute Jonny Kelly, while Forsythe finished up with six goals.



THE other Standard Cup tie at Waterhead was postponed as opponents Rochdale Cobras were unable to raise a team.
The matter is now in the hands of the Oldham Amateur League.

No date has been fixed for the remaining tie between Rochdale Mayfield and Higginshaw.