Perfect Higgy are on an early-season roll

Higginshaw Team. Back - Ian Sutton, Sean Stubbs, Jack Ujvari, Carl Fields, Mick Smith, Chris Yarwood, Steve Perry, Ormari Eastmond, Lewis Hargreaves, Coach Emmerson Jackman. Front - Anthony Hilton, Kiel Lancashire, Rhys Wareing, Jamie Mayall, Lee Forsyth, Mark Ward, Chris Regan, Sam Lambert

HIGGINSHAW continued their perfect start to the Pennine League Division Three West campaign with a hard-fought 26-12 victory at West Bowling.

The local side dominated the in defence in the opening half-hour with Sam Lambert, Carl Fields, Steven Perry and Chris Reagan putting in some key tackles to keep the big West Bowling pack at bay.

Higginshaw went in front when Kiel Lancashire chipped over the West Bowling defence and Sean Stubbs followed the kick to score out wide.

Lee Forsyth then linked up with man-of-the-match Sean Garrett to break the defensive line and send Jamie Mayall through on a 20-metre run to score under the posts. Mayall converted.

West Bowling hit back after an error on the Higginshaw line to make it 10-6, and the try seemed to lift the home team.

On the stroke of half time they went in again to tie the score at 10-10.

West Bowling went close on several occasions early in the second period, but good defence from Ian Sutton, David Sweeney and Chris Yarwood kept them out.

The hosts took the lead after 50 minutes with a penalty after Higginshaw were penalised for offside.

Higgy then cranked up the pressure, eventually roaring on to a big win as they didn’t concede any more points.

Lancashire played a huge part in lifting his side, and when his neat kick towards the posts came off a West Bowling player, it landed into Forsyth’s hands and he slid in for a try under the posts. Mayall converted to hand the visitors a 16-12 advantage with 12 minutes to go.

That man Lancashire’s kicking game was causing havoc in the West Bowling defence.

Another super kick this time found Perry, who dived in for the touchdown.

Mayall’s kick made it 22-12.

Rhys Wareing scored the final try wide out to seal a third straight win.