Saddleworth Rangers v Waterhead Warriors in Standard Cup Final
Saddleworth Rangers will play Waterhead Warriors in what promises to be a classic Standard Cup Final at Oldham RU Club’s Manor Park ground at Bardsley on Good Friday, April 15, kick-off 11.45am.
Saddleworth Rangers are in division one of the National Conference, while Waterhead Warriors operate in division three. Having strengthened their squad this year with the recruitment from Roughyeds of Gareth Owen, Phil Joy and Danny Bridge, Waterhead old boys returning to where it all began, they are fancied to win promotion from division 3.
They have underlined their billing by winning through to the final of the BARLA National Cup.
As a curtain-raiser to the Final, the under-11s from both clubs will go head to head in the Johnny Blair Memorial game, kicking off at 10.30am.
Linda, the late Johnny’s wife, will present the boys with commemorative medals after the game.
Admission to both games will be £5 for adults and £3 for concessions and children. The Oldham Amateur League will give out free tickets to the under-11s at all member clubs which run youth and junior teams.
Said league secretary Phil Bradbury: “Former winners of the Ben Powell man-of-the-match trophy in the Final also get free tickets. “The Final is THE highlight of the local rugby league grassroots scene and, as such, is well supported. This year, with the attendances currently being generated by both the Warriors and the Rangers, we are hoping for, and expect to get, a cracking crowd.”