CHRIS HOUGH has stepped down as coach following Waterhead’s relegation from division two of the National Conference League.
It proved a challenging season for Hough, a former Waterhead player, who admits the club needs rebuilding following back-to-back relegations under newly-appointed chairman Mick Slicker.
He says he isn’t the man to do it admitting it had been a struggle in his one season in charge trying to juggle a full-time job, being assistant coach at Rochdale Hornets, coaching Waterhead and finding time for his young family.
“Something had to give and, sadly, it is Waterhead,” explained Hough.
Waterhead went down on the back of a run of seven straight defeats, including an 82-0 loss at Leigh East on the final day of the season as they finished second bottom with three teams going down.
“It has been a rollercoaster with some good moments, but also bad ones as we were relegated for a second successive year,” Hough said.
Hough took on a difficult job after Waterhead were relegated from division one and there was an exodus of key players.
He admitted that a failure to field a settled side has been a further hindrance due to holidays and tradesmen players having to work.
“We have struggled at times to get out a team and, in my opinion, summer rugby should be for professionals and winter for amateurs,” he continued.
Hough added the lack of players has resulted in many teenagers being blooded sooner than envisaged.
He continued: “You have to find positives and not dwell on negatives. I would say we have played 10/11 of our under-18 players.
“They had to step up and some have taken their chance and one or two have promising futures ahead.”
Meanwhile, Saddleworth Rangers avoided relegation from division one of the National Conference League but also bid goodbye to their coach Shane Tupaea.
Three wins from their last five games secured an eighth place finish for Rangers and turned around a campaign which had seen them suffer nine consecutive defeats earlier in the season.
They ended on a high with a 42-30 triumph away at fellow relegation escapees Milford Marlins thanks to tries from Ethan Langhorn (3), Ollie Kerr (2), Jack Connor and Matt Bottom.
And it is Bottom’s help towards the end of the season which spearheaded Rangers’ good form, according to coach Shane Tupaea, who took over 12 months ago.
He said: “A combination of factors has led to our survival.
“I am obviously delighted we beat the drop, but I didn’t think we should have been near the bottom anyway, with the quality of players we had, and this quality came through in the past few games.
“Matt Bottom became like an inspiration for us and helped make the team gel. He’s one of the reasons why we got the best out of other players.”
The game was Tupaea’s last in charge as Craig Farrimond will succeed him next season after spending last season as assistant coach.
Tupaea added: “I have enjoyed my time in charge of Rangers and wish Craig all the best for next season.”
