Ruthless Saints show their class

Photo: Pictures by CHRIS SUNDERLAND

FULL STEAM AHEAD . . . Nathan Jewitt of St Anne’s heads for the try line.

RUGBY:

St Anne’s 70, Hollinwood 12

NATIONAL Conference side St. Anne’s proved too strong for Pennine League opponents Hollinwood in the first round of the ‘Mellor Products’ Oldham Standard Cup.

Saints took the lead inside the first minute when winger Niall Collins touched down in the corner.

And from the restart, two strong drives downfield resulted in a try for on the opposite flank for Josh Denbeigh, with Kiel Lancashire landing the touchline conversion.

Hollinwood hooker Jordan Curtis was held up over the line before Steve Hibbert squeezed in at the corner flag, with Andy Gorey adding the goal.

Gorey and half-back partner Luke Skilling, who along with Curtis, forwards Gaz Brindley, Sam Reynolds and Paul Johnson, put in a strong effort, proved unable to prevent further tries for Collins, Denbeigh, Nathan Jewitt, Michael Cadd and Jordan White, with Lancashire adding three goals for a 36-6 Saints lead at half-time.

With hooker Eric Johnson – on his return to Higginshaw Road – dictating the midfield, Saints extended their lead with three more tries in a five-minute blitz.

Prop forward Simon Topping put Lancashire in, before the Saints outside half returned the compliment.

And the latter’s solo effort and goal extended the advantage to 54-6 .

Full-back Alan Williamson was next to get his name on the scoresheet, Lancashire adding the goal.

And former Saints youth player Paddy Jennings scored a terrific try for the visitors, stepping round four would-be tacklers to give Gorey a simple conversion under the posts.

Cadd added a second touchdown for Saints before substitute Sean Thomas wrapped up the scoring.