Nixon opens floodgates
Date published: 15 February 2011
Photo: PICTURES by CHRIS SUNDERLAND
FORWARD THRUST . . . Waterhead’s Craig Highton makes ground toward the Howarth line.
AMATEUR RUGBY:
Vital win for Waterhead, but coach demands more
DARREN Nixon’s hat-trick helped Waterhead to a comprehensive 34-18 home win over Heworth, easing the club’s re-election worries in the National Conference League.
Coach Garry Highton was delighted with the result — but admitted the overall performance could have been better.
“We played some good, smart rugby for 70 minutes,” said Highton, following his side’s fourth league win of the season in Division Two.
“We really should have put our foot on the gas, but we let them back into it a little bit.
“Will Schofield was outstanding and we had three older heads out there who helped to give us stability in Terry Fitzgerald, Steve Standring and Paul Geener.”
The win takes the Peach Road side above the York outfit and up to third-bottom. Schofield propelled Waterhead’s pack forward and, Nixon aside, Fitzgerald was the main beneficiary as he grabbed two tries and five goals.
Danny Lowe also touched down for Highton’s men, who led 22-8 at the break against a side whose tries arrived through Marcus Welsh and Ryan Varley, with Carl Potter kicking three goals.
“I knew we would get a win at some point soon and the pleasing thing is that we have a lot of lads who are on their way back,” Highton added.
Mark Wyatt is in contention after recovering from a broken hand and Matthew Holland is also in the mix having returned from a 12-month break in Australia.
SADDLEWORTH Rangers allayed their relegation fears in the Premier Division with a crucial 18-14 win at Wigan St Patrick’s.
The result lifted Keith Brennan’s side to fifth-bottom, while also putting St Pats into the relegation zone.
Rangers grabbed the only score of the first half at Clarington Park when James Whalley ran home a try which the visitors’ man-of-the-match Michael Coates converted.
Marlon Alker was sent off to reduce the hosts to 12 men shortly before the break.
But the Wigan outfit hit back with tries from Ian Schofield and Brett Whitehead.
Saddleworth full-back Tom Lever struck to help his side retake the lead and with 10 minutes left the same player crossed for his second which Coates converted.
Dean Hatton’s try and a Schofield goal brought the gap back to two points before a Coates penalty sealed the contest.
