’Wood give Kinsley a fright

Photo: PICTURE: TIM BRADLEY

GO FOR IT: Hollinwood’s ex-Oldham player Matt Foggerty.

GUTSY Hollinwood came close to beating Pennine League Division Five leaders Kinsley at Fields New Road.

In the end the visitors clung on for a 37-34 victory after a thrilling game saw the lead change hands several times. Kinsley only bagged the winning points in the final five minutes.

Hollinwood pounced for the opening try in the opening minutes as Pete Davies crossed in the corner.

Andy Gorey was unable to convert the try, in what turned out to be the only missed attempt all afternoon.

The visitors quickly hit back with a converted try as they went into the lead, before Steve Hubbert’s score – converted by Gorey – made it 10-6 in Hollinwood’s favour.

Kinsley struck back with a converted try, then this amazing topsy-turvy clash saw Gorey add the extras after Pete Jackson had crashed over to make it 16-12 to Hollinwood.

The hosts’ lead was increased as Gorey converted a try from Jack Mayall, but on the stroke of half-time Kinsley responded again to peg the score back to 22-18 at the break.

After the restart Mayall bagged his second try and as Hollinwood were looking to cut loose as they now led 28-18, but leaders Kinsley have plenty of character and two rapid converted tries fired them back into the lead.

With time running out, Gorey crossed for another converted try, and with a 34-30 lead prospects looked good for a superb Hollinwood victory. But Kinsley broke Hollinwood hearts as they scored a final converted try in the dying minutes, before dropping a goal to make it 37-34.