Niall's 2000 306 XS A.K.A Craig

[Niall]

I agree mate, that is really odd, possibly a blocked oil gallery to the head causing starvation and subsequent wear?

Actually that wouldn't surprise me. I was shocked at the state the head was in when I removed it. Was also shocked how much of the HG had degraded. So much of it had dropped down into the water ways in the block. Will get a pic of the old HG when I remember.
Luckily got all of it out as it was all in big pieces!