New-look Higgy hit the ground running

RUGBY: BACK in the Pennine League after a 23-year gap, Higginshaw kicked off the 2015-16 campaign with an excellent 34-4 win at Cowling Harlequins.

Fielding several new signings, including the impressive pairing of Rhys Wareing and James Brennan in the prop division, the visitors always held the upper hand.

Higgy took an early lead when Steve Perry touched down from wide out after a powerful break from Mark Turner. The Keighley-based team responded with a try but then Higgy then moved up a gear.

Luke Makin and Anthony Hilton combined to send in Sean Stubbs, and with Mark Ward adding the goal the lead was up to 10-4. Higgy came again through Brennan. He fed Turner, who beat the defence in for a fine converted try.

The second half was dominated by the Oldham club. Wareing went in after a bustling 30-yard run before Turner dived over for his second try. Ward kicked the the goal to extend Higgy’s advantage to 28-4.

The referee blew up early after Harlequins centre Cameron Scott suffered a serious leg injury.


In contrast, HOLLINWOOD’S Pennine League season got off to a disappointing start as they succumbed 60-12 at home to Clayton. The visitors were 30 points up at half time.

New boy Danny Wood put Hollinwood on the board just after the restart. Ashley Dixon added the goal, and later converted a try of his own.