Rangers Triumph Over Wigan St Patricks
Saddleworth Rangers got a much-needed win on Saturday in rugby league’s National Conference League Premier Division. They defeated Wigan St Patricks 29-12 to move clear of the relegation places.
Mick Coates scored two of Rangers’ tries. And you can read a report and see the table at the league’s website here.
Meanwhile, Rangers’ under-9s were also in action against a Wigan team, as they faced Wigan St Cuthberts yesterday. Here’s a match report from Garry Eyres:
“For an October morning the weather today was amazing and once again we were lucky enough to watch a performance to match it. Rangers started the game playing down the hill and defending the first set of six. Right from the start they set about their opponents moving up quickly as a team and pinning Cuthberts back in their own half and apart from one early scare near our try line, Rangers were in no mood to give away any further field position particuarly in their own half of the pitch.
“Today Rangers welcomed Connell Galbraith for his first game, and he showed no sign of nerves as he broke the Cuthberts defence with his first run of the game and continued the full length of the pitch only to be tackled just before the line.
“But with the tone set, it wasn’t long before Rangers finally broke the deadlock with their first coming from try-machine Robbie Coates putting down in the corner, which was quickly followed by Daniel Tromans getting his reward after knocking on as he was about to put the ball down only minutes earlier, with the scoring concluded for the first half by Kien Molloy.
“After taking on some much needed water, Rangers came out for the second half playing up the hill, with the gradient against them and such a big effort from the whole team in the first half, it was a little more difficult to contain Cuthberts who never let their heads go down and finally managed to apply some pressure close to our line.
“Even with Rangers now starting their sets of six back in their own half they were able to clear their lines through their usual big runners like Bennet Tupaea, Sam Eyres, Elliot Noble and Kien Molloy but it was Lewis Haigh this week with some exceptional attacking runs who caught the eye and caused the Cuthberts defence no end of trouble in both halves, in fact it was a shame he couldn’t get over the line as his performance certainly warranted it.
“With some tired legs and the heat taking its toll Rangers allowed Cuthberts to break their line and score their first of three tries, but every time they got one back the lads responded with some exceptional runs setting up Robbie Coates to run in a further two tries, and Josh Wood completing the scoring, putting down over the line and getting his reward for another committed performance.
The game finished six tries to three and an exceptional win that the lads’ performances this season had deserved. Top Tackler this week went to Lewis Haigh, who could have won any of the three awards on offer for his all round game today with Daniel Tromans, who played out of
his skin, taking the most improved award. But it was the debut performance of Connell that won the man of the match award. ”
Many thanks to Garry for that report. And if you’d like to write a report of a local event to be included on this website, please get in touch by clicking Contact at the top of the page. I’d be happy to share it!
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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