Bright future!

ALL YOURS . . . Deputy Mayor Cllr John Hudson presents the Standard Cup to Waterhead duo Micky Diveney (left) and Paul Geener and the team.

RUGBY: ANDY Sands reckons Waterhead’s Standard Cup final triumph over Rochdale Mayfield bodes well for the future of the club.

Terry Fitzgerald’s late field goal clinched a thrilling 25-24 victory.

Following a bruising battle at Saddleworth Rangers on Saturday, it was a much-changed Waterhead side which took to the field at Manor Park.

Sands pinned his faith in three 16-year-olds, props Marcus Heath and Jack Fairbrother and second row Chris Green, and they didn’t let him down.

He said: “They were all absolutely fantastic.

“I played Chris Green out of position on the wing, but it didn’t faze him at all.

“Dave Orwell was also outstanding and was my man-of-the-match.

“Carl Sneyd as well, I couldn’t have asked any more of him.”

Sneyd touched down twice on the day and kicked a couple of goals, while Dale Lowe and Jordan Pye also went over for Waterhead.

Sands couldn’t hide his pride in winning the final — Waterhead’s first in the competition since 2009 and his first as a coach after being successful on seven occasions as a player.

He added: “This win meant more to me than any of my other victories.

“It felt so much different and it has really given the club lift.

“The players have done the job and with the young kids in the side it bodes well for the future of the club.

kevinrichardson@oldham-chronicle.co.uk