Coach’s praise for show of character

Photo: PICTURES by CHRIS SUNDERLAND

ARM-FUL: Waterhead's Keiran Grennan attempts to wriggle away from Askam's Roy Marshall.

RUGBY:

JOINT coach Jon Perks lauded Waterhead’s will to win after they made a flying start to the new National Conference League summer campaign.

They recovered from a six-point deficit midway through the second half to clinch a 20-10 victory over Askam in Division Two.

Two tries in a seven-minute spell from Thomas McMullen provoked the fightback. Perks said: “It was a typical first game of the season, with mistakes on both sides.

“But it is still early days and the positive thing is that we got the two points. The lads also showed a lot of character to come back from 10-4 down, They dug in when they needed to most which was pleasing to see.”

There were plenty of errors in the first-day encounter, and it was Askam who made the early running with a Rob Cockayne try after four minutes.

Waterhead restored parity thanks to Sean Garrett’s touch down just before the half-hour mark.

The Cumbrians went back in front courtesy of a Rory Marshall try and a Mark Tyson goal.

However, McMullen’s quickfire double either side of the hour mark and a late Craig Highton score settled the issue in Waterhead’s favour.

Perks, who saluted the impact of full-back Alan Williamson, said: “We want to make Waterhead Park a fortress. We don’t want to drop points at home and this was a good way to start.”

Waterhead’s influential centre Darren Nixon was a late withdrawal after his wife gave birth on the morning of the match to a girl, which they have called Lucy.




SADDLEWORTH Rangers saw an early lead quickly evaporate as they were thumped 52-16 at newly-promoted Ince Rose Bridge in the Premier Division.

A try and a penalty from stand-off Kiel Lancashire put Rangers ahead, but that was as good as it got for Emerson Jackman’s men.

Winger Danny Attersall and Wayne Leyland touched down for Bridge, while efforts from loose-forward Kenny Baker, second-row David Hoctor and Leyland were instigated by half-back Tony Baker.

Kenny Baker converted four of the tries for a 28-6 lead at the break.

Rangers retaliated through tries from prop Jimmy Rogers and second row Ben Wood. Lancashire kicked one of the goal attempts.

However, the visitors’ hopes of a turnaround were thwarted when Craig Sanby went over.

Kerian Eccleston added Bridge’s points haul, before Tony Baker cooked up a late double and brother, Kenny, took his tally for the afternoon to eight goals.