Hollinwood, Higgy all set for big kick-off

RUGBY: While local amateur rugby clubs Saddleworth Rangers, Oldham St Anne’s and Waterhead Warriors are counting down the remaining games in their National Conference League season, Hollinwood and Higginshaw are preparing for their first taste of the action.

Rangers and St Anne’s have endured miserable NCL campaigns - both are bottom of their divisions with only three wins in 37 games between them. Tomorrow’s challenge for Division One side Rangers is a home match against mid-table Myton Warriors. At the foot of Division Two, St Anne’s head to Holmfirth to play Underbank Rangers. Waterhead entertain Stanningley in their penultimate Division Three fixture of the season.

A restructed Pennine League gets under way tomorrow. To cut down on travelling time and costs,

divisions have been split into East and West sections. Hollinwood open in Division Three West with the visit of Clayton to Fields New Road. Higginshaw, who have switched from the North-West Men’s League, have a trip to Keighley to face Cowling Harlequins. All matches start at 2.30pm.