Higginshaw join summer exodus

RUGBY:

HIGGINSHAW are stocking up on sun cream after becoming the latest club from the borough to join the migration to summer rugby league.

Following in the footsteps of Oldham St Anne’s, Saddleworth Rangers, Waterhead and Fitton Hill, Higgy are embarking on a new chapter in their history.

The club will end their 19-year association with the North-West Counties League after completing their three remaining fixtures.

But there is no time to rest as the North-West Counties Men’s Open Summer League, which is being backed by Domino’s Pizza, gets under way on Saturday, April 21.

It will consist of five divisions with up to 12 teams in each. Higgy will play in Division Four.

Higgy secretary John Mellor attended the launch of the league, which will also feature the ‘A’ teams from Saints, Rangers and Waterhead, as well as Fitton Hill, at the Ruskin Sports Complex in St Helens.

He said: “We had a players’ meeting and they were all up for it.

“I think we’ve only played one game since Christmas and some players have become disinterested. We are hoping to win some back with this move.

“We had to forfeit last Saturday’s game at Spring View because only 10 players were able to travel.

“We see it as the continuation of the rebuilding programme at the club.

“The under-eights, nines and 11s teams are in place, we’ve improved the clubhouse and now we’ve got summer rugby.”

Higgy’s switch leaves just one team from the town, Hollinwood, in the North-West League winter competition. See story below.




HIGGINSHAW are on the look-out for a new coach for the summer league campaign as current incumbent Craig Dickinson will step down at the end of the winter season.

Anyone interested in applying for the position should call secretary John Mellor on 07970 100606.