Higginshaw close to momentous upset

HIGGINSHAW produced what club official John Mellor described as "the best performance for years" in giving Moss Bank — a side with a 100-per-cent record in its previous 14 division four games — the fright of their lives.

The St Helens side eventually came away with a late converted try to snatch a 28-26 win, but Higgy's efforts deserved more.

Superbly led by man-of-the-match David Sweeney, Ryan O'Donnell and Chris Tomlin, the home team soared into an early 10-0 lead.

Paul Turner celebrated his Lancashire call-up with a great try off a deft kick by fellow County representative Sweeney, who converted, before Tomlin's neat show-and-go on the back of a barnstorming run from prop Michael Cadd enhanced Higginshaw's position.

Shell-shocked Moss Bank then showed why they are unbeaten for the past two years, levelling up before the half-hour.

Scott Hewson and O'Donnell were both stopped just shy of the line, but the visitors held an 18-10 half-time lead through a converted try and a penalty goal.

A further try only three minutes after the restart looked to have taken the game well out of Higginshaw's reach — but it didn't pan out that way.

A bout of constant pressure led to Cadd going over out wide, Sweeney converting on the hour.

O'Donnell then continued the fightback with a terrific individual effort which Sweeney again added to, levelling the game up at 22-22 with just nine minutes remaining.

Believing they could cause an upset, Higgy kept pounding at the Moss Bank line and were rewarded when Sean Stubbs — the club's third Lancashire representative — capitalised on Scott Hewson's break to go over from 20 yards out. Sweeney converted to give the home side a 26-22 lead with time running out.

Sweeney was then sent off along with a Moss Bank player after a fight broke out involving all the players, before the visitors just managed to preserve their record by squeezing in for a try at the corner which was converted.

OLDHAM St Anne's 'A' were beaten 28-20 at home by Widnes Moorfield in division one, Saddleworth Rangers 'A' defeated visitors Dalton 42-20 in division three and Waterhead lost 15-8 at home to Cadishead Rhinos in division four.

Rochdale Cobras went down 26-20 at home to third-placed Hindley in division six.