Victory hopes slip from Higgy’s grasp

RUGBY LEAGUE: HIGGINSHAW were unable to hold on to a second-half lead as they lost 30-18 at Heysham Atoms in Division Three of the North-West Counties League.

Behind after five minutes, the visitors hit back when Chris Tomlin’s kick toward the in-goal area bounced back off the posts and Paul Turner was in like a flash to touch down. Guy Harvey added the conversion.

Heysham retaliated with a spell of pressure on the Higgy line, but forwards Kris Richards (man-of-the-match) and Michael and David Smith stood firm.

But a converted try against the run of play from a high kick after 37 minutes put the home side in front.

Sean Stubbs went close after a break, but Heysham broke away to score. Higgy responded in style hit with two quick tries to edge ahead.

Forwards Scott Foote, Steve Perry and Alan Dunn made good yards to set up Turner, who in turn beat several players with a brilliant jinking run to score under the posts. Harvey again converted.

Moments later Gareth Brindley powered through the middle, linking up with Gareth Franklin, who in turn fed Harvey for a try converted by himself.

Higgy had chances to increase their lead — Sean Whitmore and Michael Jewitt went close — but they were made to pay for those near misses when Heysham nosed ahead.

And the hosts added two more tries in the closing stages to seal the points.

In the Premier Division, Oldham St Anne’s were beaten 18-8 at Golborne Parkside, while Saddleworth Rangers were handed an 18-0 win over Waterhead, who were unable to raise a team for the Division Four clash.

Also in Division Four, Rochdale Cobras lost 58-6 at home to HIndley.

Meanwhile, inexperience and injuries contributed to Fitton Hill’s 38-10 defeat at Blackpool Scorpions in Division Six.