WESTHOUGHTON Lions came roaring back after a below-par first half display at Manchester Rangers last weekend but ultimately gave themselves too much to do as they sank to a 42-22 defeat.

Rangers looked to be coasting to victory in the battle of the North West Mens League Division Four play-off contenders after going in at half-time 36-4 in front.

Lions boss Geoff Sheelan admitted his side got all they deserved after only managing a solitary James Haydock try before the break.

But they scored four tries in the second 40 minutes as winger Chad Boyce touched down twice, and full-back Scott Benyon and loose forward Ryan Berry also crossed for the Lions.

“We bossed it after the break, scoring four tries to their one,” said Sheelan.

“But the game was lost in the first half.

“We managed to work the ball well, scoring most of our tries in the corners, but they just ran straight through the centre.

“Ultimately, they converted all seven of their tries, while our kicker was left with some difficult chances and we only scored one from five, so you could say that the kicking was the difference.

“But that is saying nothing about our kicker, this result was down to our poor first-half display.

“It took us until the second half to remember how to play rugby and you can’t win matches like that.”

Victory would have seen the Lions draw level with the Rangers in third place, but they remain clinging on to the fourth and final play-off spot.

The Westhoughton side now face two tough away fixtures, at league leaders Chester Gladiators and fifth-placed Garswood Stags, before finishing a run of five straight matches at home.

“These next two games could be key to our play-off hopes,” added Sheelan.

“It is not going to be easy at Chester, who are unbeaten, while Garswood are going for the play-offs as well.

“But if we can get through those games and hopefully not start as badly as we did at Manchester, then we have a good chance to do something with five in a row at home.”