Rangers pocket cup-final place

Photo: PICTURE: VINCENT BROWN

TRY TIME: Matt Bottom of Saddleworth Rangers crosses the line during the Standard Cup semi-final showdown with neighbours Waterhead at Shaw Hall Bank Road.

RUGBY:

SADDLEWORTH Rangers booked a Standard Cup final showdown with Rochdale Mayfield on Easter Monday after edging to a 22-20 home win over Waterhead in the last-four.

More than 300 fans flocked to Shaw Hall Bank Road and saw the National Conference League Premier Division side secure their place in the climax, which takes place at Oldham RU Club.

Carl Sneyd broke the deadlock with a try for Waterhead after two minutes and added the extras.

Darren Nixon soon followed suit to extend the lead, only for Rangers’ James Whalley to cross with 21 minutes on the clock. Kiel Lancashire goaled.

And Lancashire did the honours again after half-an-hour after Matt Bottom crashed over.

However Waterhead, who are two divisions below Rangers in the Conference, went into the break 14-12 up thanks to Ashley Wildman.

Picking up the ball in his own 25, he showed blistering pace to evade several challenges and cross in the right hand corner.

Rangers responded just after the hour mark. Danny Bowker got on the end of Lancashire’s up-and-under and touched down, with Lancashire converting.

And just minutes later Bowker did it again after an almost identical move, although Lancashire missed the resultant kick.

Waterhead gave themselves hope when Sneyd goaled Craig Highton’s try, but in the dying minutes the away outfit missed a penalty which would have restored parity.