Davies scores again in Rangers defeat

ON THE CHARGE . . . Rangers’ Dave Newton.

RUGBY:

KENDAL Davies was in try-scoring form for Saddleworth Rangers again — but the teenager was unable to stave off a 31-14 defeat at home to Bradford Dudley Hill in National Conference League Division One.

The 19-year-old, who scored a hat-trick against Leigh East the previous week on debut, touched down in the 10th minute to put Rangers in front.

David Byrne kicked the goal.

Byrne added a penalty to stretch the hosts’ lead to eight points, only for Dudley Hill to respond with three converted tries before the break.

Neil Wall dived in twice, while the other went to Adam Jefferson. The boot of Nathan Kitson was successful on each occasion.

A Kitson drop goal and another conversion after Cameron Gibson’s try saw Dudley Hill forge into a 25-8 lead. Gibson’s score came after a sustained spell of pressure from Rangers.

Emmerson Jackman’s side gave themselves a glimmer of hope through Davies’s try and a Gavin Dodd goal, before Martin Southwell’s touch down sealed Rangers’ fate.