Higgy aim to spring a surprise

HIGGINSHAW’S new coaching team of Steve Lax (left) and his assistant Mark Jewitt.

RUGBY: HIGGINSHAW start their North-West Counties League campaign with a fresh partnership at the helm.

Coach Steve Lax and his assistant Mark Jewitt have been handed the task of shaping the club’s future on the field.

And Lax (42), a former player at Higgy and Shaw Rhinos, is confident of a decent season.

He said: “I think we’ll start off slowly, but by Christmas we’ll be firing.

“We’ve been in training for nine weeks now, so fitness shouldn’t really be an issue.

“Some of the lads are still playing summer rugby, but when they come to us next month we’ll up to full strength. We’ll surprise a few people.”

The summer contingent includes Oldham St Anne’s trio Jordan White, Nathan Jewitt and Jordan Hanley, as well as James Whalley, who scored a couple of tries for Saddleworth Rangers in their recent defeat by Wigan St Pats.

Higgy regulars, full-back Paul Turner and prop Steve Perry, who progressed through the youth ranks, are expected to continue to play a big role.

Lax hung up his boots 10 years ago but was persuaded to try coaching by former team-mate Jewitt.

The duo replaced Chris Tomlin and Ryan O’Donnell, who stepped down in June as a result of a lack of numbers at training sessions.

Higgy get their campaign under way on Saturday when Cumbrian side Dalton visit Oldham Edge for a 2.30pm kick-off.




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