BARLA National Cup

AMATEUR RUGBY:

LOCAL sides drew a blank in the BARLA National Cup.

Oldham St Anne’s were beaten 19-18 at home by Rylands, while Saddleworth Rangers lost 22-18 at Wigan St Cuthbert’s.

Higginshaw also went out, going down 56-0 to Hunslet Warriors, from the Yorkshire League.

However, the scoreline didn’t reflect Higginshaw’s efforts in the tie.

The hosts were dealt a blow in the fifth minute when Josh Griffith went off with ligament damage.

Trailing 16-0, Higginshaw enjoyed a spell of pressure on the Hunslet line, only for Scott Foote to be stopped short after good work from David Sweeney and debutant Jonathan Fullalove.

Foote, man-of-the-match Carl Fields, Gareth Franklin, Chris Tomlin and full-back Adam Horabin were all outstanding on defence as they tried to stem the Hunslet attacks, but the visitors’ power told as they opened up a 32-0 lead at the break.

Undaunted, Higginshaw tried hard to press for points in the second half, with big drives from forwards Alan Dunn, Sean Stubbs and Craig Milner creating a position for David Sweeney and Ryan O’Donnell to send Tomlin in what looked to be a certain try, only to be driven back.

Hunslet then stepped up a gear and ran-in four tries in the last 15 minutes to finally end Higginshaw’s hopes.