St Anne’s let it slip

RUGBY:

‘Mind-blowing’ defeat as big lead goes to waste
IT was the case of the one that got away for Oldham St Anne’s in Division One of the National Conference League.

Chris Deakin’s side had built up a 20-6 lead after an hour, only to let fellow strugglers Stanley Rangers back in to snatch a 24-20 victory.

Saints, missing nine players, were seemingly on their way to a second win of the season after Nathan Jewitt, Josh Denby and Dominic Igoe went over in the first half, making the score 18-0 with conversions.

Rangers’ only reply came from a Daryl Gaunt try and a Danny Grice goal.

Forsyth added a penalty to extend Saints’ advantage, and the points appeared in the bag.

But the hosts hit back and claimed the spoils with a late surge.

Saints assistant coach Paul Deakin said: “It was a fantastic game – and mind-blowing that we lost.”



SADDLEWORTH Rangers, away to West Hull in the Premier Division, made an encouraging start before eventually slumping to a 48-16 defeat.

Emerson Jackman’s men went in front after three minutes, with Oliver Keer crashing over and Josh Bradbury adding the conversion.

Rangers, with Paul Rafferty to the fore, held sway until the 25th minute when a Danny Swales try was goaled by Mark Hewitt.

Further efforts from Matt Plummer and Ben Parker, again converted by Hewitt, saw the hosts lead 18-6 at the break.

Rangers’ hopes of staging a comeback were hit when Chris Whinn and Danny Bloom, Hewitt kicking the goal,

Rangers refused to throw in the towel, but two more tries and a touchdown sealed Rangers’ fate.



WATERHEAD’S home game against leaders East Leeds in Division Two was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.





Follow us on Twitter - @OldhamChronicle