Battling Higgy give it their all in away defeat

HIGGINSHAW left with pride intact despite succumbing 22-4 at Heysham Atoms in the North-West Counties League.

The local outfit put in a big defensive effort, but it was the Division Two high-flyers who came out on top after a purple patch in the opening half.

Mathew Corbally, Keith Chadwick and youngsters Jack Hughes and Jamie Mayall took the lead for Higgy, while Mark Ward and Andy Newton worked hard in open play.

Higgy had several chances to score in the first 15 minutes, with Jordan Hanley and Mark Fitton being stopped just short of the line. At the other end, Paul Turner saved a certain try.

The key spell in the match came when Heysham scored three tries in the 10 minutes before half-time, two of which were converted,

Bottom team Higgy stepped up a gear in the second half, hitting the Heysham line time and again.

The hosts’ line finally gave way when man-of-the-match Kiel Lancashire’s chip over the defence set up a try for Gareth Brindley, who gathered the ball 30 yards out before side-stepping the full-back.

Higgy kept up the pressure, with Lee Burke and Gareth Franklin both going close.

But it was Heysham who sealed victory in the 75th minute with their fourth try of the afternoon.