Rangers count the cost of slow start

RUGBY:

SADDLEWORTH Rangers paid the penalty for another dreadful start as they slipped to a 46-24 defeat at second-bottom Ince Rose Bridge in Division One of the National Conference League.

Shane Tupaea’s side trailed by 30 points inside 30 minutes, and though they reduced the deficit to 14 midway through the second period, the damage had been done.

To cap a disappointing day, they also had captain Dave Newton sent off for dissent with five minutes to go.

Rangers took an early lead through Ethan Langhorn’s try, but it was all Bridge for the rest of the opening 40 minutes.

It went from bad to worse for Rangers, who saw Adam Dwyer, Gareth Jones and Jamie Malone go over. Of the six conversion attempts in the first period, Matthew missed only one.

The visitors then had Matt Fogarty dismissed during the interval. Fogarty had been substituted before seeing red, so Rangers were able to continue with 13 men on the pitch, but could only call on three replacements.

Tries from Ged Mawdsley, Langhorn and Anthony Morrison before the 60-minute mark — Josh Bradbury and Gavin Dodd each kicked a goal — gave Rangers a glimmer of hope. But Bridge pulled away again.

Newton was sent off but Rangers had the last word, with Mawdsley going over for his second try in the last minute.



OLDHAM St Anne’s and Waterhead had no fixtures.