Sweeney top dog for Higginshaw

AN INSPIRATIONAL show from David Sweeney helped Higginshaw pick up their second victory of the season.

Wigan St Cuthbert's were beaten 22-10 in the preliminary round, with man-of-the-match Sweeney highly influential throughout with his superb kicking game which created two tries.

Higginshaw, playing some of their best rugby of the campaign, started strongly and opened the scoring when, after a period of pressure on the Cuthbert's line, Adam Jewitt spotted a gap to dart in under the posts.

Sweeney converted, before the visitors hit back with a score midway through the half.

Michael Jewitt then got on the end of Sweeney's kick to the in-goal eight minutes before the break — making it a father-and-son scoring double for Higgy — and Sweeney's extras made it 12-4 as the teams turned around.

Winger Kevin Tighe was next in off Sweeney's kick and David Hewson's try from acting half, also converted, gave the home team a 22-4 lead.

The Wigan side scored with 12 minutes to go against the run of play, but Higginshaw, whose other star performers were the Hewson brothers David and Scott, held on.

IT was a mixed day for the sides involved in the NWC Challenge Cup. Saddleworth Rangers 'A' lost 46-4 away at Albert Park, while Oldham St Anne's 'A' progressed to round two after beating Leigh East 44-32.