Higginshaw put on a brave show
Date published: 22 October 2009
Scott Hewson bursts through for Higginshaw
A BIG crowd at Oldham Edge were treated to a superb spectacle as Higginshaw fell to a 22-21 home loss to division four leaders New Springs Lions.
A late try for the visitors — the first time in the game they had gone in front — secured the points to leave Higgy disappointed, but not disheartened.
The home team dominated early on and with powerful prop Michael Cadd again on top form, the opening try arrived after five minutes when Carl Field stormed home out wide, David Sweeney converting then adding a penalty.
Scott Foote then increased Higginshaw's lead with a thrilling effort, beating five players and turning the full-back inside out on a 70-metre sprint to the line after hooker Paul Brooks had set him through a gap.
Sweeney converted and it would have been even better for Higgy had Adam Horabin's effort not been ruled out.
New Springs then hit back and began to take a foothold in the game, scoring a converted try on 21 minutes to halve the deficit and after capitalising of a defensive blunder, pulled level.
A Sweeney drop-goal ensured the home team held a slender one-point advantage at 13-12 as the sides changed ends.
Sweeney then struck home a penalty on 48 minutes and after a bout of heavy pressure on the visitors' line, man-of-the-match Cadd burst onto a short Sweeney pass to score close in to the posts. Sweeney converted to leave Higginshaw sitting pretty at 21-12 up.
Sensing an opportunity to take full control, Chris Tomlin almost increased the lead only to lose the ball with the line begging.
The moment lifted New Springs and after cutting the deficit to 21-16 with 12 minutes left, another try followed out wide.
The assembled spectators held their collective breath for the all-important conversion — which sailed through, maintaining the visitors' unbeaten start to the campaign.
OLDHAM St Anne's 'A' enjoyed a good home win in division one, seeing off Roose Pioneers 22-18, while in division five Rochdale Cobras remain top of the standings after a comfortable 36-4 victory away at Bolton Mets.
BOTH local sides involved in the Lancashire Cup suffered third-round exits.
Saddleworth Rangers 'A' were defeated 18-10 at home by Orrell St James, while Widnes St Maries overcame Waterhead 'A' at home by a score of 32-16.
