Higgy come with a wet sail

RUGBY LEAGUE:

A LAST-GASP try from Sean Whitmore sealed a superb 14-12 comeback win for Higginshaw over Burtonwood Bridge at a wet and windy Oldham Edge.

It was some recovery from the home side, who trailed 12-0 in this North-West Counties League Division Three encounter.

The result lifted Higgy off the foot of the table — but the points seemed to be heading for Burtonwood at the break.

Despite dominating the game early on through the hard work of powerful props Michael Smith and Kris Richards and stand-off Jonny Fullalove, Higgy conceded an interception try when Adam Price raced clear. He also landed the conversion.

Jack Hughes went close for Higgy — he just failed to gather David Sweeney’s grubber kick — but it was Burtonwood who kept the scoreboard ticking over with a converted Craig Eaves try.

Despite trailing by a dozen points and with the wind and rain in their faces, Higgy started the second half on the front foot.

They halved the deficit thanks to Smith’s 30-yard effort — he carried three players over the line — which was goaled by Fullalove from out wide.

Burtonwood tried to hit back, but the Higgy defence held firm, and the rearguard action paid off when Steve Perry popped the ball out to Mark Ward, who scooted in from 10 yards.

The conversion sailed wide on the wind but the hosts, showing a never-say-die

attitude, would not be denied.

From a tap penalty on the half-way line, first full-back Gareth Brindley drove down field before Sean Stubbs took the ball into the 20-yard area.

Sweeney then switched play, with centre Gary Walsh releasing Whitmore for the match-winning try.