Higgy’s late show

TITLE-HOPEFULS Higginshaw left it late to secure a thrilling 26-24 win at Pilkington Recs ‘A’ in division four of the North-West Counties League.

Trailing by six points with only seconds left on the clock, Adam Horabin went over for a try to level things up, before Ryan O’Donnell held his nerve with the conversion attempt.

Dominating the game early on, Higginshaw did not let Pilkington Recs settle, with the powerful prop Michael Cadd again in top form and stand-off O’Donnell impressing with a great kicking game.

He pinned the opposition back time and again, setting up three tries. He also touched down with a 70-yard interception effort and added three goals.

Cadd, collecting an inside ball from Horabin, scored Higginshaw’s opening try, which O’Donnell converted for a 6-0 lead.

Carl Field chased an O’Donnell grubber-kick to increase the visitors advantage just before the half-hour mark.

O’Donnell completed the conversion, before he added to Higginshaw’s try tally. Collecting the ball on his own 15-yard line, he outpaced the chasing pack to score in the corner.

Pilkington Recs hit back with a converted try to reduce the deficit to 16-6 at the break.

Higginshaw saw their lead cut to 16-12 after the restart, but they hit back through winger Sean Stubbs, who benefited from another piece of O’Donnell magic.

Gary Walsh, who looked certain to score, lost the ball with the try-line begging as Higginshaw continued to press.

Lifted by the escape, Pilkington Recs scored a try out wide, and sensing the game was still winnable, they went in front for the first time with a converted effort.

But Higginshaw refused to throw in the towel and, with time running out, that man O’Donnell aimed a kick at the posts. Reading the move to perfection, Horabin was on hand to touch down.

As cool as you like, O’Donnell stroked the ball over the bar with the last kick of the game.

THE other fixtures involving local sides were postponed because of unfit pitches.