Pennine League Division Two West: Cowling Harlequins 16 Hollinwood 14

COWLING bounced back after some heavy defeats to show their resilience and pull off their first league win of the season.

They started well as Daz Greenwood's offload found returning Quin Simon Bolton to power over. However, the score came at a cost as the hosts lost Dave Butterfield to a broken collarbone in the build-up to the try.

Patrick Smith and Wayne Verity were producing some great running for Quins while, top defence from Andrew Skinner and Dean Williamson kept their Oldham visitors out.

However, Hollinwood levelled in the 23rd minute, going over in the corner after a move out wide.

It stayed 4-4 by the break, when Quins' message for the second half was to complete sets and grind out the win.

Instead, silly penalties and lost ball let Hollinwood get their noses in front with two soft tries.

It looked as if another Cowling defeat was on the cards but up popped joint man of the match Liam Sanctuary, who went over from dummy half and Greenwood converted.

Then with five minutes to go, Greenwood again offloaded a great ball to Danny Windle – also awarded man of the match – who went over under the sticks.

Greenwood added the extras to claim the win and put Quins in good spirits ahead of their trip to local rivals West Craven Warriors on Saturday.