IT DOESN’T rain but pours for Waterhead Warriors, who are back on bottom spot in division three of the National Conference League.
Gateshead Storm’s 18-16 win at Eastmoor Dragons hoisted the North East club above Warriors who have lost nine of their ten league fixtures.
Their latest loss was 74-2 at league leaders Hunslet Club Parkside after the previous week they had produced a battling performance before being beaten 30-14 at home by Drighlington.
“It was a positive to be able to get out a team against Hunslet and fulfil the fixture as we had ten players injured and four more on holiday,” explained chairman Mick Slicker snr who pointed out the Warriors side included five 18-year-olds.
But Mr Slicker conceded he cannot see things getting any easier in the second half of the season.
He said: “It has not come as a shock because we knew how hard it would be.
“But our juniors are doing well and we have some good young players coming through.
“They are a few years down the line from being ready for the first team and we may lose some to university, but if half a dozen come through it will be a start.”
Meanwhile, the outlook is just as gloomy for Saddleworth Rangers who sit bottom of the National Conference division one without a league win so far this season.
In recent weeks, despite some near-great comebacks, they have suffered losses at Myton Warriors 64-10, defeat away at Pilkington Recs 46-24 and a 40-12 loss to league-leaders Normanton Knights.
Rangers’ next match is a trip to second-placed Ince Rose Bridge on July 11 before they welcome fellow strugglers Salford City Roosters on July 18.
Meanwhile, there has been more success for Rangers youth teams in their cup ties.
The Under 14s put in some sterling performances to reach the final of the North West Counties Development Cup final against Heysham Atoms.
But they suffered their first loss of the season in the final, going down 20-6, and coach Danny England believes the occasion became too much for some of the young players.
He said: “Hopefully we can chalk this one down to nerves and look forward to better times!
“The performances produced leading to the final mean many more of these occasions are to come, and, hopefully the experience can stand them in good stead.”
Meanwhile Rangers U12s enjoyed victory in the first round of the Lancashire Cup as they defeated Shelvington Sharks 16-10.
In a close game, Rangers held a narrow lead at the break before sealing the victory with a late try to progress to the next round.
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