Pride is the spur for local outfits

RUGBY:

SADDLEWORTH Rangers and Oldham St Annes are playing for pride in the National Conference League tomorrow.

With three games to go, Saints are already consigned to Division Two next season.

Emerson Jackman's Rangers need a Herculean effort to dodge the top-flight trapdoor.

Bottom of the Premier Division with four league wins this season, Rangers must overcome high-flying Myton Warriors at home to keep alive their season for another week.

Even then they are relying on East Hull - one place above the drop zone, with a far superior points' difference - slipping up against Wigan St Patrick.

Warriors are hitting form at the right time and returned to the summit after a comfortable 40-8 win over Ince Rose Bridge six days ago. Centre Matt Welham scored three of his side's seven tries.

Saints, like Rangers without a game last weekend, also face a top-versus-bottom clash.

They go to Castleford Lock Lane, who are a point clear of second-placed Bradford Dudley Hill in the race for the Division One title.

Saints will not want the wooden spoon and coach Chris Deakin is sure to have his troops fired up for the short trip to West Yorkshire.



WATERHEAD, third in Division Two, are without a fixture this weekend.