Johnson inspires take off
Date published: 26 January 2012
RUGBY:
HOLLINWOOD are on the move in Division Three of the North-West Counties League.
A richly-deserved 30-14 win at Wigan Bulldogs saw the local outfit climb off the bottom of the table.
Hollinwood were quick out of the blocks in a match played in rain and a strong wind.
Terry Whaley put the full-back under pressure after chasing a punt forward from man-of-the-match Eric Johnson. The ball came loose and Pete Jackson gathered before crashing over.
Hollinwood were soon in again, this time Pete Davies was on hand to touch down.
Whaley bagged a try himself, and with Andy Gorey adding the conversion, the visitors enjoyed a 14-0 lead.
Bulldogs responded with a try, but Hollinwood hit back straight away with Alistair Williams crossing for his side’s fourth score of the afternoon. Kevin Collins added the goal for a 20-14 advantage at the break. Davies then bagged his second try to increase the lead by another four points.
The conditions made handling difficult and, although Bulldogs managed to score a couple of tries, Johnson (try) had Gorey (conversion) ensured Hollinwood finished in the ascendancy.
HIGGINSHAW, already fielding a weakened team, suffered an early double blow against a big Halton Farnworth side in Division Two of the NWCL.
They lost Gareth Brindley and rising star Jordan Hanley to ankle ligament damage in the opening 20 minutes. They both look set to miss the rest of the season.
Despite suffering a 58-0 defeat, Higgy never let their heads drop. They were the equal of Farnworth in the first quarter, before the home side started to find gaps in the defence.
Michael Jewitt, Nathan Fogarty, man-of-the-match Stuart Barry and young Jamie Mayall were outstanding in both defence and attack, holding Farnworth to a 20-0 scoreline at half-time.
Higgy were denied a consolation try when Steve Perry was bundled into touch just short of the line. This was after good work from Mathew Corbally, Gareth Franklin and David Smith.
FITTON Hill Bulldogs’ Division Four game against Ashton Bears ‘A’ was postponed.
