AN IMPRESSIVE start by Saddleworth Rangers to their 2014 National Conference League, Division One campaign has pleased coach Shane Tupaea.
Rangers took five points from their opening three games as they drew with Milford Marlins 26-26, won at Millom 26-22 and beat Shaw Cross Sharks 26-18 to sit third in the league.
And Tupaea insisted even a heavy defeat 26-0 away at Myton Warriors will not knock the team out of their stride.
He said: “It was a disappointing result but in view of the fact that we had a large number of key players missing, including Michael Coates, Dale Lowe and Ian Sinfield, there was always going to be a big hole to fill.
“It was always going to be a tough task going there. It’s one of those games we want to learn from but kick under the carpet now. I don’t want the players to dwell on it or beat themselves up about it.
“We have started very well minus that little hiccup. If you had said to me before the season we would have five points from four games, I would have been very happy.”
Rangers next face ties against Dewsbury Celtic, Oulton Raiders and Normanton Knights this month as they look to continue their great start to the season.
But Tupaea insisted he will not get carried away with promotion ambitions but will instead be concentrating on ensuring the players produce good rugby each week.
“It is all about hard work and determination and turning that into good play, which we have been doing,” he said.
“If we are a little bit above half-way in the table by the half-way point of the season then I think we will have a chance to push on for promotion.
“From surviving by the skin of our teeth last season to challenging for promotion this time around is a big ask.
“I don’t want to over expect then under achieve. We just want the lads playing rugby they enjoy and see where that takes us.”
MEANWHILE it has been a case of needs must and leading from the front for coach Chris Hough who has come out of retirement to play for Waterhead.
“We had a number of injuries and a lack of players in the right areas so it was the right time to step in,” he explained.
After heavy defeats in their opening two matches in National Conference League, Division Two, Hough was on the pitch to score a try and orchestrate Waterhead’s first win of the season, a 15-0 victory against Askam.
Sadly they were unable to build on that success losing 36-10 at Bradford Dudley Hill in their next league fixture.
“We had half a dozen players missing because of a stag do which disrupted us. The one positive is that we had to call up some very young lads and some of them did well,” he continued.
Hough says his playing return is not permanent adding that soon he will have a major shoulder operation which will end his playing career for good.
While it has been a struggle for Waterhead, who have suffered three defeats in their first four league games, Hough is convinced better times are ahead.
He will soon have a number of recruits from Rugby Union to call on permanently including Danny Maher (Fylde) and Jamie Mayall (Blackburn).
Hough said: “They have only played with us when they have not had RU games, but have done excellently.
“Their season is drawing to a close and soon they will be with us all the time. They will make a big difference in the next three to four weeks.”
Hough added that he has been impressed by the spirit and togetherness of his players, despite a challenging start to the campaign.
“We are a close-knit group and all stick together. The main thing is to enjoy our rugby and play with a smile on our faces,” he concluded.
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