Rangers run riot

ADLINGTON Rangers ran riot against Saddleworth on Saturday.

After a delayed start (owing to a late referee) they made up for lost time, passing the ball about in fine style.

The pack of Martin Whittle, Phil Moss, Mark Lowe, John Barker and Carl Hough just brushed through a weak defence. The ball was sprayed out and the tries came.

First was centre Dave Brooks, who shot through for a brace, followed by Keith Mitchinson at scrum half who followed up a good break by Paul Cookson to score.

Then, stand off Neil Prescott went in for two.

This was followed by a Carl Hough try, and just before the break Mark Lowe scored after taking a neat pass which put him through a gap to outpace the cover.

Prescott managed three conversions to make the half time score 34-0.

In the second half, Rangers carried on as before with some excellent rugby.

Their cross field passing and backing up had Saddleworth clutching at straws.

Further tries were scored by hooked Phil Moss, centre Tony Brooks (two), full back Jamie Roden joined the line and raced away for a try.

Rangers' solid defence eased off and Saddleworth dashed over for an unconverted consolation try. Rangers continued to throw the ball around and Paul Dootson scored two more. Prescott kicked four conversions.

Mark Lowe was named man of the match after an excellent defending and attacking game, followed by Phil Moss and Neil Prescott. Next week Rangers are due to play Spotland at home.

Meanwhile, Rangers A put in a good performance at home to top-of-the-table Pilkingtons, losing 10-18.

Pilks knew they were in a match with Rangers' tenacious tackling knocking them off their game.

Rangers opened the scoring with a well taken try after good backing-up put Dave Graham through to burst over for a try.

This stunned Pilks into action and with some good passing, their scrum half sliced through and scored a converted try.

Although Rangers forwards made ground some passing went astray.

Prescott, Baxter and Tonge ran the ball in well with Hurst linking with Anwyl and Rogers in the backs.

A dropped pass led to Pilks nipping in for a second try and goal. Before the break, Rangers were penalised for holding down in the tackle, giving Pilks a 14-4 lead.

After the break, Rangers came out strongly with some good runs. Rangers should have scored but the ball was dropping with the line open.

Then, a long run by Rogers led to Jamie Pedlar taking the final pass to dash in for a try, goaled by Prescott.

Rangers' defence was now on top but they were caught offside too often, allowing Pilks to kick further penalties.

Man of the match was Gary Prescott, followed by Frank Rogers and Stuart Anwyl. Next week Rangers A are at Rochdale.

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