Hollinwood hit by injury

RUGBY: AFTER more than five weeks without a game, Hollinwood returned to action with a trip to Newsome Panthers in Pennine League Division Three West.

And despite losing 40-6 to their West Yorkshire rivals, the visitors could take solace in that the scoreline didn’t reflect their efforts.

Panthers took an early lead with a converted try, but Hollinwood responded in style, Ashley Dixon finishing off a fine passing move. Man of the match Luke Skilling added the goal.

The first half was even but the hosts nosed ahead with a try just before the break.

Hollinwood suffered a huge setback soon after the restart when Dixon dislocated a shoulder in a heavy tackle and was taken to hospital. Two minutes later team-mate Alistair Williams was forced off with a knee injury.

Panthers took command, scoring 30 points without reply, but not before Hollinwood lost another player, John Wood, to injury. He hobbled off with an ankle problem leaving only 11 men on the field.

Leading from the front, Kevin Collins had a fine game for Hollinwood, along with Jim Hamilton.