20-minute spell crucial as Rangers fall short

RUGBY: SADDLEWORTH Rangers couldn’t quite nail down a much-needed two points in a thrilling Kingstone Press National Conference League Division One match against Myton Warriors.

Shane Tupaea’s hosts led 18-0 after 14 minutes and 32-18 seven minutes into the second half, but it was the visitors from East Yorkshire who emerged victorious at 42-38.

It was a terrific game of amateur rugby league featuring third top against third bottom at Shaw Hall Bank Road. Rangers surged ahead in the early stages, and Warriors hit back with three touch downs of their own.

At 18-18 all Rangers regained the initiative either side of half-time. Adam Jeffrey and Gareth Morgan went in, and with Langhorn adding a conversion and two penalties, the lead was 14 points.

Back came Warriors: in a 20-minute spell Ashley James completed a hat-trick of tries, adding the extras to all three, while Nick Halstead also dived over. Ashley James again kicked the goal.

The visitors’ final try came with only three minutes remaining, but there was still enough time on the clock for Morgan to go in again. Langhorn landed the goal.