Waterhead Warriors pulled off a memorable double over Saddleworth Rangers in Good Friday’s finals day at Oldham Rugby Union Club’s Manor Park ground.

STANDARD CUP FINAL
WATERHEAD WARRIORS 34 SADDLEWORTH RANGERS 8

WATERHEAD, of the National League Premier Division, proved to too strong for Saddleworth, who are operating in the North West Conference following the Rugby Football League’s restructuring of the grassroots game through the National Community Rugby League initiative.

Sixteen-man Rangers, who were in the National Conference League Third Division – the bottom tier – prior to this year’s wholesale changes, were in serious contention for a nine-minute period late in the first half, but otherwise were second-best.

The Warriors established a lead they were destined not to lose in the eighth minute, when Adam Robinson crossed.

Scott Parnaby added a try on 25 minutes, Vinny Arthurs improving, but Saddleworth pegged the favourites back to six points when Vinny Fitzgerald dotted down six minutes later.

Waterhead, however, went in at the break 16-4 ahead, Arthurs converting his own score. 

That was how it stayed until the 64th minute, when Adam Robinson grabbed his second try.

Matthew Holland extended the cushion to 20 points with eight minutes left and although Charlie Mills hit back for Saddleworth, Waterhead closed in style.

The sealed arguably the most prestigious piece of silverware in the district leagues with late tries by Harrison Dodd and Callum Murphy, the second of which James Perks converted.

WATERHEAD: Harrison Dodd, Adam Robinson, Callum Murphy, Matthew Holland, Vinny Arthurs, Gareth Owen, Cameron Robinson, Callum Cameron, James Perks, Matthew Fletcher, Niall Dean, Mitchell Birch, Scott Parnaby. Subs: Liam Aspin, Luke Barbour, Harry Barker, Ciaran Dean

SADDLEWORTH: Jay Taylor, Zico Barker, Hayden Enziano, Evan Parry, Charlie Mills, Connor Whitehead, Josh Bradbury, Jack Holden, Freddie Wilson, Johnathan Thompson, Jaimie Dalloway, Joe Howe, Billy England. Subs: Vinny Fitzgerald, Joe Molden, Jack Bradbury

Referee: Ollie Maddox

OLDHAM CUP FINAL
WATERHEAD WARRIORS A 26 SADDLEWORTH RANGERS A 20

WATERHEAD edged the clash of the second teams in a game in which Saddleworth were never in front.

In an attritional opening period, Lucas Carr crossed on 25 minutes for the Warriors, while Nathan Agar’s try on 39 minutes for Rangers left the sides level at 4-4 at half-time.

Within nine minutes of the resumption, Waterhead – who operate in the North West Men’s League Premier Division, while Rangers are in Division Two – were 16-4 to the good, thanks to tries by Jack Burns and Jim Mason, with Max Hobin and Joe McDonald adding the respective extras. 

Ryan Coupe got Saddleworth back into the frame on the hour, Kiel Lancashire goaling, only for Waterhead’s Reece Smethurst to power in just four minutes later, McDonald improving. 

With three minutes left, Lancashire converted Finn Winterbottom’s touchdown to reduce the deficit to 22-16.

Burns, by way of response, grabbed his second try – and Nicholas Matthews’ last-gasp score came too late to affect the outcome.

WATERHEAD: Max Hobin, Harry Campbell, Jack Burns, Lucas Carr, Josh Hulme, Jamai Fogarty, Ben Webb, Matthew Brown, Jimmy Mason, Frederick Fallas, Sean Garrett, Joe McDonald, Dale Lowe. Subs: Brandon Kielty, Andy McLoughlin, Jack Pemberton, Reece Smethurst

SADDLEWORTH: Finn Winterbottom, Ryan Coupe, Nathan Agar, Nathan Burgess, Alfie Merrington-Gosling, Kiel Lancashire, Scott Owen, Ryan Platt, Ollie Chamberlain, Nicholas Matthews, Ben Sinfield, Archie Scott, Thomas Haddley. Subs: Harry Ravenscroft, Jack Ujvari, Stanley Simpson, Jovilisi Taira

Referee: Jordan Greenhalgh