Higginshaw impress amid Bamber Bridge carnage

HIGGINSHAW produced some of their best rugby for years to see off a frustrated Bamber Bridge 34-6 in division four, moving up to third in the table as a result.

The game was effectively sewn up by half-time, with the visitors 28-6 ahead — though the action didn't stop there, with the match abandoned by the referee after 70 minutes due to a mass brawl with Higgy a further six points to the good.

A 40-yard try for winger Josh Griffiths set Higginshaw on their way and he was in again soon after, on the end of a superb five-man move. Ryan O'Donnell converted for a 10-0 lead.

Man-of-the-match Carl Fields was next over the line for Higginshaw under the posts, O'Donnell adding the goal.

Bamber Bridge hit back with a try of their own, but Paul Turner was soon over for another try added to by O'Donnell, and David Sweeney then put in Steve Parry for a try with a chip over the defence, O'Donnell's boot ending the scoring action in the opening period.

Leading scorer Scott Foote then crossed for his sixth of the season which O'Donnell converted just before the hour mark.

The game blew up when a collision in back play resulted in a free-for-all, the referee calling an early end to the game with Chris Tomlin and Kris Richards receiving red cards along with two Bamber Bridge players.

o ELSEWHERE, Oldham St Anne's 'A' suffered a 12-10 defeat away at Bold Miners in division one, while Hindpool drew 8-8 at home with Saddleworth Rangers 'A' in division three.