Haydock 37 Higginshaw 29

THIS was a vital game for both sides and produced a thrilling encounter with some exciting football and the result in the balance until the last minute.

It took Haydock 10 minutes to get on the scoresheet with a try by Tither after good work by Haughey and O'Garra, but Higginshaw hit back, taking advantage of some slack tackling to go ahead 6-4 with a converted try.

A drop goal on 17 minutes edged Higginshaw 7-4 in front but shortly afterwards Haydock regained the lead when Kelsey ran 25 yards to score near the posts. Haughey converted to make it 10-7.

Back came Higginshaw with a converted try to lead 13-10, but right on half time Haydock notched their third touchdown when a brilliant solo effort by sub Wayne Bloor saw him leave a clutch of defenders in his wake to score a good try. Haughey again converted to put Haydock back in front at 16-13 at half-time.

A drop goal and a penalty by Haughey stretched Haydock's advantage to 19-13 early in the second half but Higginshaw hit back with a try and conversion to level the scores.

And the Oldham side rocked the home contingent when they put up a high kick which was fumbled and a Higginshaw player followed up to grab a try, which was converted to put them 25-19 in front.

Haydock returned to the atack with Fearnley, Kelsey, Greer and Haughey all making good ground. And after 68 minutes the pressure finally told when Lowe put the ball inside to Fearnley who went over for his second try, Haughey's conversion giving the Yickers a 29-25 lead.

Higginshaw again fought back and within two minutes they levelled again with an unconverted try.

In a nail-biting finale Haughey and Bloor fired over drop goals to inch Haydock into a 31-29 lead and the homesters finally sealed it right on full-time when young winger Abbott stretched over for a try, goaled by Haughey, to complete the scoring.

Outstanding for Haydock were Kelsey, Green, Scott, Fearnley, Lowe and Haughey.

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