Sweeney leads Higgy charge

ON the move: Higginshaw’s Dane Armstrong takes on the Cadishead defence.

AMATEUR RUGBY: MUDDY marvels Higginshaw consolidated third place in North-West Counties League division four with a 26-12 win at home to Cadishead.

Battling terrible conditions, Higgy bounced back from their recent defeats by producing a superb attacking display.

They were spearheaded by scrum-half David Sweeney, who scored two tries, while Jonathan Fullalove was successful with all five of his goal attempts.

Higgy stormed into an early lead. Sean Stubbs released Steve Perry, who outpaced the defence to score under the posts.

The hosts continued to press, with big drives from Michael Cadd, Craig Milner and Scott Foote creating a position for Paul Brooks to scoot in from dummy half.

Cadishead showed their flair going forward, but with Carl Fields, Chris Tomlin and full-back Adam Horabin outstanding in defence, every attack was snuffed out.

Higgy had other scoring chances in the first half — a barnstorming 30-yard bust from Michael Cadd was stopped short of the line — before Cadishead reduced the deficit with a converted try.

The visitors stepped up their game in the second period, and a try, again goaled, restored parity at 12-12.

But Higgy regrouped and with Cadd, Gareth Daynes, Gary Walsh and Brooks exerting pressure with big drives out of defence, the forwards were able to a break on a heavy pitch.

A piece of magic from Sweeney put Higgy back in the ascendancy. He chipped over the defence for Adam Horabin, who in turn picked out Sweeney to score under the posts.

Fullalove made it three goals out of three, and he was to add a fourth after Sweeney went in for his second try.

And there was still time for Fullalove to put two more points on Higgy’s total.