Win delight for Highton

ON THE DRIVE . . . Waterhead’s Sean Garnett tries to get away from an Ovenden player.

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AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE: WATERHEAD coach Garry Highton was delighted with his side’s efforts in claiming their first points of the day on National Conference League Division Two’s opening weekend.

A 24-10 defeat of Ovenden at Waterhead Park was just what the doctor ordered to give Highton’s men an early-season boost.

Second rower Sean Garrett was outstanding for the home team, who pulled away from a half-time deadlock to see off Halifax-based opposition.

“It was an excellent team performance,” said Highton. “There was nothing in it until half-time.

“Then we changed our game plan slightly and it paid off for us.”

Waterhead took the lead through a Will Schofield try which was converted by Garrett shortly before the half-hour, but Luke Sutcliffe touched down soon after with Michael Holden adding a goal to level the game at 6-6 as the sides changed ends.

The impressive Matthew Baron then scored a try which was goaled by prop forward Nial Bradley. And though Duane Tetley again responded quickly for Ovenden, Waterhead’s dominance was reflected through tries from full-back Alan Williamson and stand-off Fitzgerald, Bradley knocking over two further conversions.


OLDHAM St Anne’s, in Division One of the NCL this term following promotion, start their campaign on Saturday with an away test at Oulton Raiders.