Hollinwood leave it late

RUGBY LEAGUE:

HOLLINWOOD’S push for promotion from Division Five of the Pennine League is gathering pace thanks to a late try from Peter Davies.

A hard-fought 26-24 victory at home to Whitehall Warriors has lifted Hollinwood to third in the table, two points adrift of Stainland Stags with two games in hand.

Top honours are also within their reach as Slaithwaite Saracens ‘A’ are only a further two points ahead.

Despite a strong opening from the Hollinwood pack — spearheaded by Kevin Collins, they made good ground towards the opposition line — it was the Warriors who went ahead with a converted try.

But the home side were soon in the ascendancy. Matty McCullough crossed for their first try, quickly followed by a Paddy Jennings effort, which was converted by Gareth Benias.

Benias then crossed himself and added the goal to stretch the advantage to 16-6.

And there was still enough time in the first half for Dave Hughes to go over for the home side.

Leading 20-6 at the break, Hollinwood were on course for another big score.

The Warriors had other ideas. Finding gaps in the hosts’ line, they ran-in several tries and went in front with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Hollinwood needed a match-winner — step forward Davies.

After receiving treatment for a hamstring injury, he somehow managed to side-step a number of would-be defenders to score. Benias held his nerve to clinch victory.

Andy Gorey, Ian Hunt and John Byram were absent, and they were missed, with Hollinwood losing their balance and lacking bit of organisation in the second half.