Hull Dockers 6 Leigh Miners Rangers 24
Leigh Miners Rangers picked up a fourth win in a row at the expense of Hull Dockers to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and remain top of the table. Defences were firmly on top throughout this game but Miners were always in the ascendancy as they showed why they won the treble last season.
There was just one try in the first half and it went the way of Miners from winger Jamie King who was quick to dive in at the corner. Brad Hargreaves headed for the corner but was hauled down by a superb Matthew Harling tackle but a quick play the ball saw King go in.
Within a minute of the second half beginning Miners had extended their lead to 10-0 with a great try from man of the match Tommy Parkinson. The big second row forward powered through the Dockers defence leaving the returning Jonny Youds to land an easy conversion.
The firm ground suited Miners style of play and nine minutes later they were in again this time through stand off half Jimmy Muir. Youds was again on target as the champions looked to close the game out and go home with their unbeaten run still intact.
Dockers finally managed to break down the resolute Miners defence on the hour when loose forward Sam Bowering forced his way over. Ross Kemp added the conversion but their cause wasn’t helped by the sin binning of Nathan Powley for a professional foul. visitors were far from finished in this one.
Miners further extended their lead on 65 minutes when centre Lee Gittens crossed for Miners fourth try but one which could have been pulled back for a forward pass in the build up. It was given and Youds stepped up to convert and also add a last minute penalty for a high tackle.
DOCKERS: Steve Milne, Kyle Larvin, Matthew Harling, Ross Kemp, Jack Snowden, James Higgingbotham, Dan Suddaby, Rich Dougal, Nathan Powley, Adam Sunman, Aaron Hickingbotham, Jon Eccles, Sam Bowering Subs: Steve Burnham, Jon McCloud, Jamie Macklin, Sam Heppel
Try: Bowering (60) Goal: Kemp
MINERS: Jonny Youds, Jamie King, Brad Hargreaves, Lee Gittens, Harry Gagen, Jimmy Muir, Scott O’Brien, Chris Bowers, Tom Farrimond, Martin Gray, Tommy Parkinson, Connor Ratcliffe, Mitchell Cox Subs: Danny Jones, Frank Halton, Danny Halliwell, Mick O’Boyle
Tries: King (20), Parkinson (41), Muir (50), Gittens (65) Goals: Youds 4
REFEREE: Andy Tolley / MAN OF THE MATCH: Tommy Parkinson (Leigh Miners Rangers) / HALF-TIME: 0-4.
Match report thanks to Mark Chestney
