History offers Higgy hope

EYES ON THE PRIZE: Player-coach David Sweeney is a key member of the Higginshaw team hoping to cause an upset.

Underdogs set their sights on Standard Cup final glory

SADDLEWORTH Rangers and Higginshaw do battle in an intriguing Standard Cup final tomorrow.

The game, which takes place at the Manor Park home of Oldham RUFC (11am kick-off) pits a Rangers side gunning for promotion from National Conference League division one against a Higginshaw outfit who have also enjoyed a good season to this point, sitting in third place in North-West Counties league division four.

Higgy, who have reached the final for the first time since 1998, enter the game as underdogs but the coaching team of Aidy Brown and player-coach David Sweeney can point to last year’s Oldham Amateur League’s showpiece event for inspiration.

Waterhead weren’t given much of a chance by neutrals in the pre-match build-up but turned the tables on favourites Saddleworth with a thrilling display at Boundary Park, lifting the famous old trophy thanks to a 12-6 win in front of 1,148 spectators.

Rangers coach Keith Brennan will be on his guard against that, but is also mindful of his side’s vital home league match against Castleford Panthers the following day.

Higginshaw, who have the luxury of a fixture-free afternoon on Saturday, last lifted the Standard Cup in 1994 and two years later took on Saddleworth in a repeat of this season’s final, losing 18-10 on the day.

Saddleworth reached the final after defeating Oldham St Anne’s 35-4 in the last four, with Higginshaw recording a 38-16 win over Rochdale Cobras in the other last-four tie.

The referee for tomorrow’s final is Richard Cowling and touch judges are Stuart Fitzpatrick and Bob Smithies, with Paul Knowles the reserve referee.

Admission is £5 adults including a programme and £2 concessions.


SADDLEWORTH Rangers are holding a past players’ reunion at their Shaw Hall Bank Road base for the crucial Castleford Panthers match on Saturday (2.30pm kick-off).