Second half super show spurs Rangers (From Warrington Guardian)

Second half super show spurs Rangers

WEAVERHAM produced a superlative second half performance to eventually coast to victory against Rylands.

Rangers started on top but couldn't penetrate the visitors' defence and only had a Steve Lowe drop goal and two penalties to show for their early domination.

At 5-0 up an experimental Rangers side seemed in charge but a lapse in concentration allowed a speculative kick to be re-gathered and put Rylands back into the game.

A penalty to the visitors, one of only two given away in an otherwise excellent display of discipline, put Rylands 8-5 ahead.

Weaverham then slipped into overdrive and with Andy Wood, Russ Clarke and Paul Reid out wide they started to make ground at will.

Half backs Mark Bebbington and Lowe ran things in the middle of the park and it was only a matter of time before the pressure told.

In fact it was Paul Reid, scoring his first try for eight years, who opened Rangers' try scoring account as he scorched in from 40 yards and carried over five Rylands players to give Weaverham an 11-8 half time lead.

The second half proved much the same as Weaverham took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Excelled

Simon Clarke, looking back to his best after injury, excelled at hooker and was the driving force behind the forwards

And with recent signing and player of the month Andy Butler gaining yards every time he took the ball, things looked good for Weaverham.

However, it took a wonderful solo try by Andy Wood to break down Rylands' resistance.

Wood received the ball from inside his own half, showed power at first, then a turn of pace to fly past the entire Rylands side and touch down out wide. Lowe did the honours with the extras.

Next to score was influential skipper Bebbington.

After a break from centre Paul Escott the ball was thrown out wide for Bebbington to score in the corner. Lowe, yet again, converted from the touchline.

Flying winger Tony Howman saved the best until last when he scored possibly the try of the season so far.

Bebbington released Howman who evaded several tackles then leapt over the last ditch effort from the Rylands full back.

He quickly regained his feet and outpaced the retreating defence to round off an excellent team performance and a 27-8 win for Rangers.

This Saturday Weaverham Rangers are at home again and face Langworthy with kick off at Weaverham High School scheduled for 2.30pm.