Richards siblings boost Higginshaw

ALL SMILES: Vincent Finigan (right) collects his Carnegie Sports Scholarship from ex-England World Cup winner Neil Back.

A POWERFUL display in the forwards from brothers Kris and Daniel Richards gave the impetus to take Higginshaw through to the second round at the expense of Bamber Bridge.

The siblings set up a superb platform for half-backs David Sweeney and Kevin Tighe to dictate play and the home side ran out 27-18 winners.

On top from the off, Higgy went ahead through a Chris Tomlin try before Daniel Richards followed in Sweeney's kick to score by the posts. Sweeney added to both efforts with conversions.

Bamber Bridge hit back, but a Sweeney penalty goal just after the half-hour increased the lead to 14-0, before the same man added a try and conversion for an impressive 20-0 half-time lead.

Two converted efforts in 10 minutes after the break brought the game back into the balance before Sweeney's drop goal and penalty increased Higgy's cushion.

A converted try for the visitors with 12 minutes left made it 23-18.

But a three-man move involving Paul Turner, Tighe and David Smith helped set away Michael Jewitt to score the match-winner with four minutes left.




WITH eight players missing, Waterhead 'A' did well to get a team out when travelling to face Pilkingtons 'A' in the first round.

In the end, after signing on four players prior to the game — turning out a side three short of the full 17, including long-retired Dominic Broadbent — they lost 36-6 to exit the competition, despite a valiant effort.

Waterhead nearly took the lead when loose forward and man-of-the-match James Campbell broke from halfway only to be dragged down inches short of the line.

After that, though, Pilkingtons made full use of the wide pitch to head into the break with a 26-0 lead.

To Waterhead's credit, the attitude shown in the second half was exemplary and they had the last word when Campbell came up with a superb individual try which was converted by Alan Hughes.




ANTHONY Morrison of Saddleworth Rangers came off the bench for Great Britain Community Lions under-18s against the Australian Institute of Sport, in a game which was won 54-2 by the touring side.



A CHRISTMAS double header of local derby action is just around the corner.

Both Standard Cup semi-finals take place on Saturday, December 20, with Oldham St Anne's at home to Saddleworth Rangers (2pm kick off) and Waterhead hosting Rochdale Cobras (1pm).

A week later and Saints once again play host to Rangers on Saturday, December 27 (1pm), in National Conference League division one.




Tough ask for Saints

OLDHAM St Anne's may have home advantage in the BARLA National Cup second round, but still face a task that is about as difficult as it gets.

Leigh Miners Rangers, top of the NCL premier division, are the visitors to Higginshaw Road.

"It could only be tougher if we were drawn to play them away," said Saints coach Mick Cashin.

"We have to test ourselves, though, and it will be a good experience, especially for our younger players."

St Anne's have a good pedigree in a competition they won in 2003.

Waterhead and Saddleworth Rangers begin their campaigns with away ties.

While Mick Slicker's men are away at either Leigh Central of North-West Counties League division four, or Guiseley, of Pennine League division six — those teams face off this weekend — Keith Brennan's Rangers face a trip to Eccles and Salford Juniors, who operate a division below them in National Conference League division two.

The ties will be played on Saturday, December 13 (2pm kick-offs).


NERVELESS ST ANNE’S TRIUMPH

OLDHAM St Anne's 'A' held their nerve to secure a 22-10 away win at Wigan St Jude's which propels them out of the relegation zone — at the same time leaving their second-bottom opponents in trouble.

John Sweeney set up Chris Carter for the game's opening try after seven minutes, which was added to by a conversion from Saints man-of-the-match Steve McHugh.

Midway through the first half, the Wigan side drew level when prop forward John Bennett spotted a gap in the line to touch down under the posts. Liam Lowe converted and it stayed 6-6 up until the break.

On the resumption Sweeney was again involved, offloading in the tackle to put Paul Spencer clear for another McHugh-goaled score, before the scrum-half converted his own effort after beating four defenders for a well-deserved try.

Tempers then began to flare but Saints held their composure and a fourth try, for winger John Lamb, sealed the win, before a late consolation arrived from David Myers.




Honour for talented Finigan

IT’S a case of scrum down for local Rugby League player Vincent Finigan who has been awarded a prestigious scholarship by a leading sporting institution.

The 19-year-old from Hollins, who plays reserve-team rugby for Super League club Bradford Bulls, has been offered a Carnegie Sports Scholarship by Leeds Metropolitan University where he is currently studying.

Vincent, who is a winger, is hoping the three-year scholarship will enhance his prospects of making it to the top of his sport.

But if it fails to materialise he ought to have a degree in sports to help him develop another career, possibly in coaching, teaching or as a fitness instructor.

Vincent, a former pupil at Limeside Primary and Kaskenmoor and student at Oldham Sixth Form College, has already achieved success in RL.

The former Royton Tigers and Waterhead player has represented England Academy under-18s.

He currently plays for Leeds Mets, the university first team in the ‘Super Six’ against other leading educational establishments as well as for Bulls’ second team.

And he is also hoping to win a place in the British Universities squad which next year tours France.