Higgy in fightback shocker

RUGBY: HIGGINSHAW hit the self-destruct button as they let slip an 18-point advantage against promotion contenders Ulverston in Division Three of the Kukri North-West Counties League.

A superb first-half display saw Higgy lead 24-6, only for the visitors to storm back to record a 28-24 win on Oldham Edge.

Sean Stubbs set the ball rolling for Higgy — John Mitchell added the conversion — before a great

40-yard burst from Gareth Franklin helped create score number two, which was finished off by Jack Hughes.

Ulverston responded with a converted touch down, but Higgy replied with three well-worked tries from Mitchell, David Sweeney and Stubbs.

At 24-6, Higgy were on course to cause an upset. How wrong they were.

With Callum Deakin in the sin-bin, Ulverston reduced the deficit with two converted tries.

The scores were level with 10 minutes remaining, and Higgy thought they were going to edge ahead when Steve Perry scooted clear, only to be stopped just short.

Play quickly switched to the other end, where the Cumbrians completed a great fightback.

To compound Higgy’s misery, Mark Ward and Kris Richards were shown red cards after a skirmish late on.

In Division One, Oldham St Anne’s ‘A’ were unable to fulfil the fixture at home to Clock Face, who were awarded the points.

Saddleworth Rangers ‘A’ are up to third in Division Four after 32-16 defeat of Rochdale Cobras.

But like St Anne’s, Waterhead could not raise a side at Hindley, with the hosts being awarded an 18-0 win.

Fitton Hill Bulldogs had three tries chalked off as they lost 40-2 at home to Accrington Panthers in Division Five.

Panthers crossed twice early on, but the home side hit back and saw Kelland (twice) and Gemmel touch down. However, all three efforts were disallowed.

The visitors stretched their lead just before half-time, before adding four more tries after the break.

Hall kicked a consolation penalty for the Bulldogs.