Rangers suffer last-gasp agony

Simon Topping touches down for Saints, but to no avail

THEY led for all but 10 minutes of this contest - but still Saddleworth Rangers fell to an agonising defeat.

A last-gasp try from Eccles prop forward Marc Jones and a Mike Mills conversion handed the Greenfield visitors the winning two points in an evenly-fought Division One affair that ended16-18. The result puts Rangers in trouble near the foot of the division.

Things had seemed much brighter for coach Shane Tupaea, in charge at home for the first time, when James Whalley crossed the try line only seconds after the start. Michael Coates converted, the first of his four goals.

Two Coates penalties gave Rangers a further cushion, only for Eccles full-back Louis Taylor’s try to reduce the arrears. Saddleworth were 10-6 up at the interval.

The game seemingly flipped on its head when Taylor’s try was converted six minutes into the second half.

Rangers restored their advantage on 55 minutes, with scrum-half Josh Bradbury scoring a try converted by Coates to put Rangers on 16-12. That was how it stayed until the closing stages.



OLDHAM St Anne’s came off on the wrong side of a 38-26 score line at home to Askam in Division Two.

Both sets of players put on an entertaining game in which Askam took the lead through full-back Kristian Tyson’s try and conversion.

Kiel Lancashire responded for Saints with a kick which was pounced on over the line by Simon Topping, Lancashire converting to level.

The Cumbrians went back in front with a try by Tom Hopkins. But Saints fought back with a try and conversion and two penalty goals to make it 16-10.

Quick-fire Askam tries put the visitors back in front, before Niall Collins touched down to send Saints 20-18 in front.

An Askam penalty drew the game level before tries from Darren Gazkell and Joe Alexander, converted by Kristian Tyson, saw them forge ahead 32-20.

Stout Askam defence denied Saints before Chris Carter spotted a gap to touch down, with Lancashire converting.

But late on, the visitors pounced on a loose ball and Ryan Tippett raced over the line to the delight of his team-mates and supporters, Tyson converting as the final whistle blew.



WATERHEAD suffered a thorough 86-0 drubbing at East Leeds in Division One, with the Peach Road club hardly aided by the fact they travelled with only 13 men.

Tom Sheldrake, Ross Meston, Jake Normington, Jack Ely and Nathan West grabbed a brace apiece and there were also tries on a miserable day for the visitors from Jason Priestley, Joey Walkin, Dale Pattison, James Forsell, David Nurse and Ashley James, with Nathan Conroy converting 11 times.

The defeat means Waterhead, who are eighth in the table, now have the worst points-against record in the division.