Tupaea sounds cautionary note

Waterhead V Saddleworth Rangers Rangers Tom Dronsfield

RUGBY:

COACH Shane Tupaea insists Saddleworth Rangers won’t get too puffed up after beating Waterhead 18-0 in a National Conference League Division One relegation scrap.

The victory kept alive Rangers’ faint hopes of avoiding relegation - and all-but sealed Waterhead’s fate.

A large crowd turned up at Peach Road for the vital showdown between two sides battling to avoid the trapdoor, and the visitors prevailed.

Mick Coates was at the heart of the Rangers attack; the vastly-experienced number six converted Marlon Miller’s opening try in the 27th minute. He was also successful with the boot after Gavin Dodd touched down five minutes before half-time.

Third-bottom Waterhead pressed hard after the interval, but were unable to break down a resolute Rangers back line.

In the 72nd minute Rangers increased their lead to 14-0, when Coates kicked a penalty. Miller was on hand to wrap things up two minutes from time with his second try of the afternoon.

Tupaea said: “We defended our line very well, because Waterhead put us under some intense pressure for long periods in the second half. But we are not falling in love with ourselves. We have got two games to go and we need to win them to salvage something from the season.”

Rangers are away to Stanley Rangers, surprise winners at home to Bradford Dudley Hill, on Saturday week, before entertaining Milford Marlins seven days later. Waterhead end their campaign on October 12 at home to Hunslet Warriors.