Hollinwood find the going tough

AMATEUR RUGBY: IT never rains but it pours for Hollinwood, who lost 30-0 at Drighlington ‘A’ in Pennine League division four.

They arrived at the ground only to be told the pitch was unfit so, after changing into their kit, the players sped off to another venue.

Unfortunately, the surface quickly turned into a paddy field, which made for a poor game with neither side able to string more than a few passes together.

Hollinwood exerted early pressure, but they suffered a body blow when Drighlington scored a breakaway try under the posts

The conversion was successful, but the ball ended up over a perimeter fence and a player had to fetch it, which caused a hold-up in the game.

Hollinwood, for whom Rob Penswick was voted man-of-the-match, continued to press, but the ball went to ground time and again.

Drighlington scored four tries, two of which were converted, to lead 20-0 at half-time.

Conditions deteriorated in the second period — the rain was relentless — and the home side carved out two further tries and popped over a goal before the final whistle.

To complete their misery, the Hollinwood players then had to strip off to drive back to the dressing rooms for a shower.

Alan Dalton led from the front with hard drives and strong tackles, while Darren Cooper, Mark Johnson and Matty McColough, who had his best game for weeks after a shaky start, also impressed for Hollinwood.