Hollinwood break duck

Photo: Chris Sunderland

SADDLEWORTH’S Simon Parrish is stopped in his tracks as he tries to find a way through the Widnes St Maries defence in Rangers’ 18-10 home defeat in the National Conference first division last weekend. Picture by: CHRIS SUNDERLAND

Local amateur rugby round up

HOLLINWOOD gained their first win of the season in division four of the Pennine League with a gutsy performance at Queensbury ‘A’.

Late cry-offs meant they only had 14 players for the trip to West Yorkshire, but they came home celebrating a 27-12 victory.

Darren Cooper, making his seasonal debut, put Hollinwood ahead with a try and conversion, only for the home side to hit straight back with a six-pointer of their own.

Hollinwood were soon back in front thanks to another Cooper try, which he converted, and he also kicked a penalty.

Peter Jackson then got in on the act — Cooper added the extras — as the visitors stretched their lead.

Queensbury reduced the deficit to eight points before the break and they came out with all guns blazing in the second period with the use of the slope.

But Hollinwood were first to score through Cooper’s drop goal, before Rob Penswick touched down, which was again converted by Cooper.

However, the visitors could not relax as Queensbury piled forward in attempt to bridge the gap.

Hollinwood, though, held out in determined fashion to pick up their first points of the season.

North-West Counties League

HIGGINSHAW came back from the brink to secure their first point of the season in division four of the North-West Counties League.

Trailing 12-6 at home to Bamber Bridge with only seconds remaining, Dane Armstrong barged his way through to score before Gareth Brindley held his nerve with the conversion to clinch a 12-12 draw.

Boosted by the return of several key players, plus a couple of new signings, Higginshaw matched their visitors from start to finish.

The home side made the perfect start when Armstrong brushed aside would-be defenders to score from 20 metres out. Ryan O’Donnell converted.

And they would have added to their lead if winger Scott Foote had been able to take the final pass when in the clear.

Higginshaw’s defence was breached mid-way through the first half, but they responded immediately with a fine move involving Adam Horbin, Kevin Tighe and Gareth Franklin.

But they fell behind against the run of play 15 minutes into the second half when they conceded a converted try, before a penalty saw them slip 12-6 down with six minutes to go.

With two players in the sin-bin, Higginshaw were forced to hold on, but when they were back up to full strength, they conjured up one last effort.

Brindley and Stuart Barry drove out of defence before Michael Thornton shipped the ball to big prop Armstrong, who burst through to touch down. Brindley added the extras to complete the comeback.

Elsewhere in the North-West Counties League, Oldham St Anne’s secured their first success of the season in division one with a 24-20 win over Halton Farnworth.

But Saddleworth Rangers are still searching for their first point after they went down 46-10 at Heyshaw Atoms in division three and Waterhead were beaten 54-12 at Moss Bank Buildings in division four.

Meanwhile, Rochdale Cobras were hoping to make it three wins out of three at Ashton Bears ‘A’ in division six, but instead they were nursing their wounds after a 22-4 defeat.


HILLSIDE made a sound start to the new Women’s Rugby League season with a 22-18 win at Middleton.

Cashin delighted to share the spoils

“IT felt as good as a win.” That was the reaction from Mick Cashin after Oldham St Anne’s had stormed back to draw 28-28 at Ince Rose Bridge in division one of the National Conference League.

The Saints coach was delighted with his side’s display after they were hit with five withdrawals on the morning of the match.

Despite trailing 20-6 and 28-12, they refused to throw in the towel and levelled things up when a Ryan Blake try was converted by Keil Lancashire four minutes from time.

Cashin added: “We showed bucketloads of character to come back from so far behind.

“It was a shame one of our two drop-goal attempts didn’t go over near the end to snatch it, but maybe I’m being a bit greedy.”

The draw lifted St Anne’s to fifth in the NCL table and second in the latest Rugby Oldham Amateur Challenge standings.

Saddleworth Rangers remain top even though they went down 18-10 to Widnes St Maries.

It was Keith Brennan’s side first home defeat of the season and their second on the bounce after they were edged out by Castleford Panthers seven days earlier.

Waterhead have dropped down one place to third — they lost 27-10 to Myton Warriors in division two — while Rochdale Cobras are next after losing their 100-per-cent record in division six of the North-West Counties League.

Hollinwood broke their duck at the fourth attempt in the Pennine League and are now within three points of Cobras.

Higginshaw also picked up some much-needed points after they left it late to draw 12-12 at home to Bamber Bridge in division four of the NWCL.



On the menu

PAUL Sculthorpe and Paul Highton are the guests of honour at Waterhead ARLFC on Friday, November 14.

The Peach Road outfit have organised a mixed dinner to celebrate the testimonial years of the two former players.

The speaker is former England and Manchester City star Mike Summerbee.

Tickets are £25 and can be obtained from event organisers Mick Bradshaw on 07894 122315 or Jonny Eastwood on 07528 026584.