HIGGINSHAW (pictured) confirmed their billing as a club on the up with a 22-16 win against Waterhead ‘A’ in the Oldham Amateur League’s Championship Cup Final, watched by a healthy crowd at Oldham RU Club in the autumn sunshine.
It was Higgy’s final game of the season, after which centre Ben Heaton, the former Oldham and Halifax star, signed on again for another season on Oldham Edge to make it a great day all round for Higginshaw.
A spectator at the England v Fiji World Cup warm-up game at the A J Bell Stadium on Friday, Heaton said:
“I’m loving life at Higgy and it will take a very good Waterhead side to beat us in the local final.”
Waterhead ‘A’ tried — oh how they tried — but Heaton’s assessment was spot-on.
Tries by Michael Tattersall, Kiel Lancashire (2) and Heaton, with three conversions by Lancashire enabled Higgy to pick up the trophy.
Lancashire scored 14 of his side’s 22 points, but prop Murphy Holt was named Higgy’s man of the match.
They went in front after 20 minutes following a sweeping 50-yard move in which Adam Horabin, James Hall and Heaton made ground before Jordan Hanley sent in Tattersall with Lancashire converting off the touchline.
With a 6-4 lead, Higginshaw’s forwards started to dominate possession.
They went close several times, then Holt’s 30-yard break created good field position from which Lancashire went in for a try after more smart work by Horabin, Lancashire converted.
In the second half, Higgy dominated early possession and Lancashire’s clever kick enabled Heaton to score an unconverted try for a 16-4 lead in the 45th minute.
Creditably, Waterhead scored two quick tries to set up a thrilling finish, 16-12 with quarter of an hour left.
Waterhead ramped up the pressure, but Higginshaw’s defence held firm with Hall, Mason, Holt, Hughes and White all tackling strongly.
With the clock ticking down, a Mason break backed up by Hughes set up position from which Lancashire put in another pin-point kick for Heaton. Kiel took the return pass to race in for his second try, which he also converted.
Waterhead raced up the touchline for a consolation try in the dying minutes. but Higgy’s defence held firm.
