Depleted Hollinwood battle in vain

TERRY WHALLEY (St Anne’s) goes over for a try in their crushing 72-10 win over Shaw Cross Sharks in their National Conference League Division 2 clash.

AMATEUR RUGBY: HOLLINWOOD struggled to raise a team for the trip to high-flyers Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks — but the 14 players who turned out did the club proud in a 34–14 defeat.

Those on show proved how far the team has come on in recent months and for long periods it was difficult to tell who was challenging at the top and who remains bottom.

Early on in the game as the home side attacked, Peter Davies intercepted a pass near his own line and sprinted the full length of the field to score under the sticks, Hollinwood’s man-of-the-match Darren Cooper converting.

Pete Jackson then crashed over for a try before the home side crossed twice just before half-time, leaving the visitors 10-8 up.

In the second half the shocked home side stepped up a gear and scored a couple more tries, Hollinwood responding with an Alistair Williams effort.

But after Hollinwood went close on several occasions, Sheffield capitalised on every error and the final score did not reflect the effort the whole side put in.

Rick Roberts and twin brother Andy both ran the ball in well and tackled strongly as did all the team.


Saints still out in front

IT’S a case of as you were after the latest round of matches in the 2009/10 Rugby Oldham Challenge.

Oldham St Anne’s, impressive 72-10 winners at home to Shaw Cross in division two of the National Conference League, still lead the way.

Rochdale Cobras, who beat Eccleston Lions 28-26 in the North-West Counties League, remain Saints’ nearest pursuers.

Keith Brennan’s Saddleworth Rangers side, who suffered a shock 25-24 defeat at lowly West Bowling in NCL division one, sit third in the table.


HIGGINSHAW were without a fixture in North-West Counties League division four, due to the fact that Eccles could not raise a team.

In division one, Oldham St Anne’s ‘A’ lost 33-12 at Albert Park, Saddleworth Rangers ‘A’ beat Heysham Atoms 32-24 in division three and Rochdale Cobras and Waterhead ‘A’ were both winners in division five.

Cobras saw off Eccleston Lions 28-26 at home and Waterhead beat visiting Bury Broncos 42-6 to stay second in the table.


A STANDARD Cup reunion is taking place this Sunday, March 21 (1pm onwards), in order for Higginshaw to celebrate their appearance in this year’s final on Friday, April 2.

All players and officials past and present are welcome and there is a charity race at 2pm to raise funds for Francis House and Higginshaw redevelopment funds.


NEW COACHING GROUP

THE RUGBY Football League held a seminar to launch the new Coach and Player Action Group for Oldham and Rochdale.

Designed to give support and advice to all local coaches, further meetings will be held later in the year.

Present were Leeds Rhinos player performance manager Barrie McDermott, RFL head of human performance Clive Brewer, RFL talent coach for Greater Manchester Steve Molloy, David Cadwallader, RFL head of player development Barrie-Jon Mather and Steve Baldwin.