Cup still up to Standard

Rugby League
SADDLEWORTH Rangers and Rochdale Mayfield break new ground on Easter Monday when they meet for the first time in the Standard Cup final.

Manor Park is the venue for the Oldham Amateur League’s showpiece occasion (11am kick-off).

A close encounter is expected between the National Conference League rivals.

Rangers are slight favourites to hold on to the trophy — they beat Folly Lane 12 months ago — but they must do without chief play-maker Michael Coates.

He broke a bone in his foot just five minutes into his comeback game against Skirlaugh last weekend.

Coates, who is waiting to have the problem area pinned, missed the opening three games of the season after he became a dad again. Kiel Lancashire is expected to take over half-back duties.

Rangers’ Emerson Jackman has a fine record as a player in the Standard Cup final, and wants to to win it as a coach.

And despite some rugby league watchers saying the competition has perhaps lost a bit of its appeal, he still regards it highly.

“I’ve won the Ben Powell Trophy twice (man-of-the-match award), so the Standard Cup final holds a lot of happy memories for me,” said Jackman.

UNBEATEN Waterhead could reach the summit of NCL Division Two tomorrow.
Victory at Widnes West Bank and defeat for leaders Ovenden at Elland would see the Peach Road outfit go top.
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