Page 34 - Oldham Evening Chronicle - October 2022

34 www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk OCTOBER 2022

Sport

Leyton Collymore extends his Oldham’s Heffron secures his

super middleweight perfect record 29th victory

OLDHAM super middleweight boxing Oldham’s Mark Heffron promised fireworks
prospect Leyton Collymore extended his ahead of his latest fight at the Manchester
perfect professional record to five wins from Arena - and he certainly delivered.
five in his latest bout. Heffron (30) secured his 29th victory in
At the AJ Bell Stadium in Eccles, 25-year- 32 professional bouts with a devastating
old Collymore produced an impressive first-round stoppage of Argentinian hopeful
display of boxing against another tough, Martin Ezequiel Bulacio.
durable opponent in Russia’s Vasif The local star’s latest outing was a non-title
Mamedov. fight, but he took his recently secured British
Collymore was top of the bill on Gary Super Middleweight title belt, the IBF
Booth’s Manchester 31 Promotions show, Intercontinental belt, and the Commonwealth
and certainly didn’t disappoint his loyal and belts into the ring beforehand, to the huge
ever-growing band of supporters. approval of his travelling army of fans.
He looked calm and in control even though Heffron Tweeted after his blistering win:
the game Mamedov definitely came to spoil not-too-distant future. “What can I say.
the party. The Team Collymore fans were in fine “Walking out in that arena last night with
Collymore was just too slick, using his form as they cheered their man on to victory. my belts hearing that noise from the best
footwork and quick reactions to move out of The referee scored the six-round bout 60- supporters I could wish for - I had to put on
the way of Mamedov’s attacks. 54 in favour of Collymore. a show.
Collymore looked in control from the first This latest victory will now hopefully set “I hope you enjoyed it.
bell and showed everyone again why he is rising star Collymore up for a bigger fight “Look out next for a HUGE fight
being tipped to gain major honours in the towards the end of the year. #teamheffron.” Image courtesy of Mark (@Markheffron91) on Twitter
Chris celebrates 25 Heaton boosts Higgy after

years as Chief Executive derby win in local final

Higginshaw line up ahead of the Oldham Amateur League’s Championship Cup Final
HIGGINSHAW confirmed their billing as a club on Hanley sent in Tattersall with Lancashire converting
the up with a 22-16 win against Waterhead ‘A’ in the off the touchline.
Oldham Amateur League’s Championship Cup Final, With a 6-4 lead, Higginshaw’s forwards started to
OLDHAM Rugby League RLFC (1997) Ltd, with three local watched by a healthy crowd at Oldham RU Club in dominate possession.
Club owner, chairman and chief businessmen, in time for the start the autumn sunshine. They went close several times, then Holt’s 30-
executive Chris Hamilton, one of of the 1998 season. It was Higgy’s final game of the season, after which yard break created good field position from which
the longest-serving club chiefs in A quarter of a century on, and centre Ben Heaton, the former Oldham and Halifax Lancashire went in for a try after more smart work
rugby league, received a special despite intense hardships caused star, signed on again for another season on Oldham by Horabin, Lancashire converted.
award at the end-of-season Betfred mainly because the club has never Edge to make it a great day all round for Higginshaw. In the second half, Higgy dominated early possession
Championship and League One had its own ground in the borough, A spectator at the England v Fiji World Cup warm- and Lancashire’s clever kick enabled Heaton to score
Awards Night, held at Headingley. he is still at the helm and fighting up game at the A J Bell Stadium on Friday, Heaton an unconverted try for a 16-4 lead in the 45th minute.
He and Batley Bulldogs chief to keep professional rugby league said: “I’m loving life at Higgy and it will take a very Creditably, Waterhead scored two quick tries to set
Kevin Nicholas each received a alive in the town that was once good Waterhead side to beat us in the local final.” up a thrilling finish, 16-12 with quarter of an hour left.
magnum of champagne from RFL noted for its sporting achievements. Waterhead ‘A’ tried - oh how they tried - but Waterhead ramped up the pressure, but Higginshaw’s
chief executive Ralph Rimmer He vividly recalls the first time he Heaton’s assessment was spot-on. defence held firm with Hall, Mason, Holt, Hughes
to mark their 25 years in their and Nicholas attended a meeting of Tries by Michael Tattersall, Kiel Lancashire (two) and White all tackling strongly.
respective roles in the sport. the Rugby League Council. and Heaton, with three conversions by Lancashire With the clock ticking down, a Mason break backed
“I know a lot of people gathered “It was here at Headingley,” he enabled Higgy to pick up the trophy. up by Hughes set up position from which Lancashire
here tonight, some more than said, “and Kevin and I didn’t know Lancashire scored 14 of his side’s 22 points, but put in another pin-point kick for Heaton.
others, and among those I know a soul. prop Murphy Holt was named Higgy’s man of the Kiel took the return pass to race in for his second
best are Chris and Kevin,” said “Nor did all the people from other match. try, which he also converted.
Rimmer. clubs know us.” said Chris. They went in front after 20 minutes following a Waterhead raced up the touchline for a consolation
Hamilton, a former president “Back then, we were very much sweeping 50-yard move in which Adam Horabin, try in the dying minutes. but Higgy’s defence held
of the RFL, launched Oldham the new boys.” James Hall and Heaton made ground before Jordan firm.