A HEALTHY crowd watched unbeaten Higginshaw continue their great start to the season with a 32-6 win against St Anne’s “A” on Oldham Edge.
After four away wins in various competitions, Higgy fielded two new signings — former Oldham and Halifax centre or full-back Ben Heaton and ex-Warrington Academy player Sam Thackeray — in this, their first home game.
Both were impressive in their first appearances in the Higgy shirt, with Heaton named man of the match, ahead of Thackeray and prop James Hall.
Higgy’s defence were awesome in a hard-fought game that was a credit to both teams in fabulous spring conditions. Excelling in defence for the home side were Hall, Nathan Mason, Murphy Holt, Gaz Sharrocks and Callum White.
Kendal Davies (try) and Paul Ainsworth (goal) scored for Saints, while Higgy scored six tries by Heaton (2), Thackeray (2), Keenan Mason and Sharrocks and four goals by Kiel Lancashire.
Latest results in the NCL were: Saddleworth Rangers 17, Hull Dockers 23 (div.1); Drighlington 29, Oldham St Anne’s 22; Seaton Rangers 18, Waterhead Warriors 14 (div.3).
Saddleworth were soon 12-0 down against Hull Dockers in Division One, but they hit back strongly to lead 17-16 on the hour before Dockers snatched the game with a late surge. Chris Hough, once of Oldham, Rochdale and Swinton, played for Rangers.
In Divion Three, St Anne’s kept hold of second spot despite defeat at Drighlinton.
Seaton leapfrogged Waterhead into third spot.
