Rangers held in late thriller

Photo: PICTURE: PAUL STERRITT

STOP THERE: Ryan Moores and Dave Newton, of Saddleworth Rangers, join forces to repel a Milford Marlins raid.

Rugby:

SADDLEWORTH Rangers had to settle for a 26-26 draw in National Conference League Division One after relinquishing a 10-point lead at home to Milford Marlins.

Shane Tupaea’s side were seemingly on course for a first-day victory, leading 26-16 with 53 minutes on the clock. But two tries pegged them back in an excellent clash.

Ryan Moores put Rangers ahead in the fifth minute and, although the conversion was missed, Michael Coates added a penalty moments later.

Marlins, who beat Rangers by a narrow margin in the Challenge Cup last month, replied with an Aaron Jones-Bishop try and Martin Loveridge conversion.

A Coates penalty put Rangers back in the ascendancy at 8-6. The lead lasted 10 minutes as a try from replacement David Yates was converted by Loveridge. When Wheth Austin dived in, Marlins’ advantage was 10 points.

There was still time in the first half for Rangers to notch their second touchdown, with Josh Bradbury going in and Coates kicking the extras. Two more Rangers tries arrived in the early stages of the second period.

Marlins weren’t done. Luke Reeves crashed over and Loveridge stroked home the goal. Then Jones-Bishop went in with three minutes left to level the score.

The visitors had a chance to snatch victory with the conversion, but the attempt hit a post and bounced out.



CHRIS Hough scored a try in his first game at the helm of Waterhead, but the new coach was unable to prevent his side from slipping to a 70-22 defeat at Pilkington Recs.