Relief for Rangers

JULY could be a vital month for Saddleworth Rangers in their fight to pull clear from the bottom three places in Division One of the Kingstone Press National Conference League.

And they made the perfect start with a 30-18 victory at home to fellow relegation battlers Eccles.

It was Rangers first win since April 12 when they beat Dewsbury Celtic, and could not have come at a better time.

Conditions were a far cry from Spring bank holiday fixture when it was abandoned part-way through because of a waterlogged pitch at Rangers’ Shaw Hall Bank Road ground.

There were no such worries in the rearranged game.

Rangers were leading 24-0 when the referee halted proceedings on May 24, and ironically the hosts had put 24 points on the board at the same stage on Saturday.

The combination of James Whalley (tries) and Josh Bradbury (goals) put Shane Tupaea’s side 12-0 ahead inside 13 minutes.

Martin Judge and Mike Carney replied for fourth-bottom Eccles with a try and conversion respectively.

On the half-hour mark, Adam Jeffrey crossed and Bradbury kicked the goal.

Bradbury was also successful with his conversion after number seven Scott Owen had dived over.

Leading 24-6 at the break, Rangers were mindful of instances during this season when they had let the opposition back in.

They did not allow this to happen. Eccles pressed hard, but they were constantly thwarted by stubborn defence.

Joe Boulter relieved the pressure with Rangers’ fifth try of the afternoon in the 57th minute, which Bradbury again goaled.

This left the visitors with too much to do in the time remaining, although they did manage to go in twice through Andrew Muscat and Carney. The latter kicked both goals.

Rangers are at home to second-in-the-table Oulton Raiders on Saturday, and then face bottom side Millom (home) and Eccles (away) before the month is out.