Mixed fortunes for Higginshaw

OUCH: Higginshaw’s Mick Cadd feels a challenge from Rochdale Cobras’ Paul Jackson in their Standard Cup semi-final.

AMATEUR RUGBY:

HIGGINSHAW’S decision to rest key players with the semi-final of Standard Cup in mind backfired as they were beaten 16-13 at home to Leyland Warriors in division four of the North-West Counties League.

For the second week on the trot, Higgy were unable to turn pressure into points in an outstanding game played by two committed teams.

Warriors capitalised on a defensive error in the 20th-minute to open up a 6-0 lead, but the hosts hit back just before half time, with new signing Gareth Daynes going in under the posts from acting half. Ryan O’Donnell converted.

Higgy edged ahead courtesy of a David Sweeney drop goal, and they came close to stretching their advantage only for Dane Armstrong to be held up short of the line.

A converted try on the hour mark put Warriors in front — they capitalised on a mix up in defence — but Higgy responded immediately.

A powerful break by Sean Stubbs and man-of-the-match Scott Foote sent in Scott Hewson for a try from 20 yards to put the home side back in the ascendancy.

However, the lead changed hands again when a wicked bounce in the corner evaded the last line of defence and Warriors went in for their third touchdown of the afternoon.

Higgy stepped up a gear and hit Warriors with everything they had but try as they might — Alan Dunn, Paul Brooks and Mathew Corbally all went close — there was no way through.

Higginshaw made up for the disappointment of losing to Leyland Warriors by recording a 38-16 win over Rochdale Cobras, also from the NWCL, in the last four of the Standard Cup.

They will face Saddleworth Rangers in the final on Good Friday, April 2. The game will be played at Oldham RUFC’s ground at Manor Park (11am).


SADDLEWORTH Rangers ‘A’ travelled to Haresfinch with a much-changed team due to injuries, work commitments and first-team call-ups but managed to emerge with a 24-22 win in North-West Counties League division three.

Rangers were first on the scoresheet with a try from hat-trick hero and man-of-the-match Chris Conway, converted by Danny Atherton, only to be pegged back by a try and goal from the home team.

Lars Haigh was next to cross the line before Haresfinch levelled again and the score stayed at 12-12 until half-time.

Two soft penalties and a converted try seemed to seal a win for Haresfinch, only for Saddleworth to respond with two Conway tries and one from Gareth Morgan — playing his second game of the day.

Both were converted by Atherton, stealing the points for Rangers.

In division one, Oldham St Anne’s slipped to a 22-12 defeat at Shevington Sharks.