Excellent to a man — Highton

Rugby League: PRIDE in defeat was the order of the day for Waterhead coach Garry Highton as his charges exited the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Taking on Egremont Rangers — pushing for promotion from the same National Conference League Division Two that the Peach Road side play in — Highton’s men agonisingly lost 28-24.

A Paul Corkhill hat-trick helped the visitors to a place in round two.

Dale Lowe, Darren Nixon and Daniel Parry were among the try scorers for Waterhead, with Sean Garrett and Terry Fitzgerald kicking goals.

And though disappointed to go out of the competition, Highton was happy with the way his team went about their business.

“We played extremely well,” said Highton. “We were the better side for 75 minutes and only a string of penalties towards the end cost us the game.

“We ran out of steam — but the whole team were excellent, to a man.”

The tie was originally to be played on Saturday, but Waterhead Park was frozen. It meant the teams faced off the following day, at Hollinwood ARLFC.

“I would like to thank Hollinwood for obliging us,” Highton added.


OLDHAM St Anne’s won 24-10 at home against Wigan St Cuthbert’s to make it into round three of the BARLA National Cup.
In a thrilling game, Saints took the lead in the third minute when hat-trick hero Greg Worrall crossed in the corner.

Curtis Shaw levelled for the Wigan side before Worrall’s second was converted by Kiel Lancashire.

After the break Worrall completed his treble, putting St Anne’s 10 points in front, and substitute Daniel Chrimes and centre David Harris added to the try tally, Lancashire goaling another.

Shaw’s second was merely a consolation, David Fairhurst adding the extras.