Hollinwood’s last-day epic

HOLLINWOOD’S Mick Richmond tries to plough his way through the Wibsey line.

RUGBY: HOLLINWOOD signed off a great season with a thrilling 50-40 loss at home to promotion contenders Wibsey Warriors ‘A’.

The defeat leaves the local outfit third in Division Five of the Pennine League, but they could finish up fourth if Newsome ‘A’ pick up three points from their remaining three games.

This end-of-the-season clash was an open affair and the result was in the balance up until the final stages.

Andy Gorey put Hollinwood’s first points on the board with a try, followed by other touch downs from Kevin Collins, who had an outstanding game, and Pete Davies for a 12-6 lead.

A Pete Jackson try and Gorey conversion stretched Hollinwood’s lead, only for second-placed Wibsey to hit back with a 10-point haul.

But the hosts were back in the ascendancy when Gorey bagged a converted try for a 24-16 advantage at the break.

Gorey carried on where he left off with another try and goal, before Wibsey responded with a couple of tries of their own to reduce the deficit to four points.

Silly mistakes allowed the visitors to go in front at 30-36, but Davies repied with a try.

Gorey crossed for his hat-trick — he added the goal — after Wibsey had showed why they are favourites for promotion with another score.

The game was up for grabs, but it was Wibsey who claimed the spoils with two late tries.