Hull Dockers (Away)
Leigh Miners make the trip to Humberside on Saturday to take on Hull Dockers in Round 10 of the NCL Kingstone Press Cider Premier Division, Kick off at the slightly earlier time of 2pm at The Willows.
Miners travel to Hull on the back of a 40-16 Conference Challenge Trophy victory last weekend away at Millom, setting up a “Battle of the Borough” home quarter final against Wigan St Pats in early July. Despite making nine changes to the side, Miners produced a strong performance with the lads stepping in doing a great job to end the Woolybacks unbeaten start to the season.
It will be the second visit of the year to the Dockers on Saturday, with the first visit coming at the end of January in the first round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup. The green and whites winning a tight encounter 10-6 in terrible conditions before later being thrown out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player. Like last time the weather as again forecast heavy rain for Saturday, with all the Miners players knowing they will have to be very solid in defence against a big Hull pack, whilst in attack they will need to more clinical and much smarter with ball in hand than they was when the two teams met in January if they are to return home to Twist Lane with an important two points.
Looking back at last weeks Conference Challenge Trophy victory at Millom, utility man Mike O’Boyle said “It was great team result against a tough side who never gave up.”
“Considering the amount of changes we had to make, you would have never known thanks to the players that stepped in. I think it shows to everyone else the depth we have here at Miners.”
On this weeks trip to Hull, O’Boyle added “Dockers have had a good start to the season but we know a win will put us above them.”
“The challenge cup game was played in terrible conditions but was a close result. I think we can expect a real physical battle down the middle again and if the forwards can set the platform we should give ourselves a fighting chance.”
Coaches Allan Coleman & Paul Whitworth will have to make at least three changes from the side that won at Millom, with Brad Hargreaves (holiday), Jimmy Muir (wedding) and Adam Thomason (injured) all unavailable this weekend. Coming back into contention for a place in the side this week are Shaun Dowie, Tom Farrimond, Harry Gagen, Ellis Grimes, Danny Jackson and Danny Jones.
Speaking about last weeks game at Millom, joint coach Allan Coleman said “We was very proud of the club on Saturday, to go and win against a team who were undefeated with so many players unavailable was a fantastic achievement.”
“It just shows how our club is very strong and very together.”
“We played some fantastic rugby with a very high completion rate, but more than anything we played with a great team spirit.”
With Paul Whitworth saying “It was a pleasing win for us, not just in getting through to the next round
but in the manner it was undertaken.”
“We were looking at a potential
banana skin against a team who hadn’t yet lost this season, away in Cumbria and it was common knowledge the number of players who weren’t available.”
“I’d like focus on the lads who came in and put up some really good quality performances. The first half they had a really good go at us, especially against our right edge.”
“We finished well against a really strong wind and controlled the game really well in the second half to see us through.”
Looking at this weeks game, Allan said “This week will be our toughest away game so far against the biggest team in the NCL.”
“We have to be smart and play very quick, and when we get into good ball we will have to execute very well.”
“But we will also have to contain the ruck first, which we have worked hard on this week at training”
“Its a must win game if we want to be champions, You have to win at places like this.”
“Also we welcome Shaun Dowie’s parents over from Australia on Saturday, so hopefully we can get a win for Shaun and his family”
With Whitworth adding “Having played them earlier in the year we know a little about them, their
big middle unit who like the offload, and they have improved in some other key positions which has seen them put in some consistency.”
“Taking the weather forecast into account it will again be a test for both sides against the elements. We need to turn up with the right attitude, and
execute somewhere near where we have been doing lately, then we’ll get the outcome we deserve.”
Hull Dockers will go into Saturday’s game with a freshened up squad after having no game last weekend. Their last game was just over two weeks ago when they played NCL champions and city rivals West Hull, coming back from 14-6 down at the break to draw the game 22-22. That result along with the five wins from nine matches played leaves Dockers well placed at this stage of the season in third position on eleven points.
Leigh Miners 2nd team are at home on Saturday against Halton Farnworth Hornets in the league, Kick off 2-30pm at Twist Lane.
The u18s are at home tonight (Friday) against Rochdale Mayfield in the Lancashire Cup semi final, Kick off 7-30pm at Twist Lane.
Leigh Miners Ladies are away on Sunday in the league against Thatto Heath Crusaders.
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