Higgy stung by forceful Hornets

Photo: Picture: Gareth Lowe

ON THE CHARGE . . . Higginshaw’s Guy Harvey prepares to take on the Irlam Hornets line.

RUGBY:

HIGGINSHAW gave their all against a determined Irlam Hornets side, who came away from a mud-splattered Oldham Edge celebrating a 76-8 success.

David Smith, Andy Newton, Keith Chadwick and man-of-the-match Mathew Corbally were outstanding for the hosts in the first 20 minutes of this North-West Counties League Division Two clash.

But they were unable to stem the tide as the bigger opponents ran in five first-half tries to establish a 28-0 lead.

Higginshaw responded with a fine score from Kiel Lancashire after Mark Ward, Sean Whitmore and Stuart Barry had made the play. Lancashire added the conversion and kicked a penalty to cut Irlam’s advantage to 20 points.

To their credit, Higgy refused to throw in the towel against a team gunning for the title. One highlight for the home side was the return of veteran half-back David Sweeney after a stint over the road at Oldham St Anne’s.

He produced a non-stop display and was supported by the ever-reliable Jordan Hanley, who never shirked a tackle. Irlam ran away with the game in the second half, adding 48 unanswered points to their tally.

The bottom-of-the-table side play fellow strugglers Langworthy Reds on Saturday.





OLDHAM St Anne’s will meet Saddleworth Rangers in the final of the Howarth Timber & Building Supplies John Burke under-18s Trophy final on Sunday, December 11 (2pm kick-off).

The game takes place at the Higginshaw Road home of St Anne’s.



WATHERHEAD’S Standard Cup tie at home to Rochdale Cobras was another victim of the weather last weekend.