Nixon bugs rivals Saints
Date published: 13 May 2014
OLDHAM St Anne’s coach Mick Fogerty gathers his troops for a half-time team talk.
RUGBY:
DARREN Nixon’s hat-trick of tries gave Waterhead local bragging rights in Division Two of the Kingstone Press National Conference League.
Chris Hough’s side displayed tremendous spirit against hosts Oldham St Anne’s, recovering from a 12-0 deficit to win 21-16 at Higginshaw Road.
Saints went ahead in the sixth minute, with scrum-half Mick Diveney finding Chris Carter, who released Greg Worrall for a try in the right corner. Kiel Lancashire kicked the goal.
Hough was nearly in for Waterhead moments later — only determined defence kept out the player-coach — and when play switched to the other end, hooker Kendall Davies buried his way over. Lancashire again added the extras.
The visitors responded when Hough’s floated kick to the corner was palmed down by winger Tom McMullen for Nixon to open his account. Jamie Mayall landed the conversion.
Waterhead were put on the back foot before half-time when Jack Pemberton was given a 10-minute breather for a dangerous tackle.
After the interval Saints lost their discipline, conceding six penalties in as many minutes and having Diveney dispatched to the sin bin for a swinging arm.
Waterhead, back to 13 players, levelled things up when Mayall converted Nixon’s second try of the afternoon. Mayall then put his side ahead for the first time in the contest with a penalty.
Lancashire retaliated with a penalty, only for hooker Terry Fitzgerald to edge Waterhead in front courtesy of a drop goal.
With seven minutes remaining, it was Saints’ turn to nose ahead, Lancashire kicking a penalty after Waterhead were caught off-side 10 metres from their own line.
But Waterhead had the final say. Hough put in a 40-20, from which the ball was swung to the left, where Nixon clinched his hat-trick. Mayall slotted over the conversion.
A melee then broke out, which resulted in Carl Fields for Saints and Waterhead’s Pemberton being shown red cards for fighting.
