Leigh Miners Rangers 23 Lock Lane 6
Miners Rangers extended their unbeaten home record against their toughest opponents to date as previously free-scoring Lock Lane were blunted in gloomy conditions at Twist Lane.
Miners’ win was built on their phenomenal defence, keeping the prolific Lane to the sole try 13 minutes from time and some clinical precision in attack against one of the league’s leading lights.
Young back row Tommy Parkinson continued his impressive form since joining from Wigan St Judes whilst Scott O’Brien and Jonny Youds were outstanding in the halves.
Lane were largely frustrated but had big games from Craig Jeffels, Adam Garlick and Chris Siddons as they lost for the first time in five meetings with the Miners.
Defences were on top in the early stages before Miners made the breakthrough, Sean MacDonald finishing off a fine passing move involving Youds, Parkinson and Darryl Kay, Youds goaling.
The Miners fullback then added a six-pointer, soaring to pluck O’Brien’s bomb out of the hands of opposite number Mikey Hayward and diving over the whitewash under the posts.
O’Brien added a drop goal on the half time whistle to give Miners a 13-0 lead.
The next try always appeared the decisive one and Miners secured it when Jimmy Muir sliced through from 10 metres out.
Halfback partner O’Brien then added the gloss as he dummied through a mesmerised defence to touch down for a six-pointer.
The sterling defence appeared set to earn a merited clean sheet until the closing stages when Garlick stormed clear from deep inside his own half and offloaded to put Chris Tudor between the posts for a try converted by Danny Rowse, but it couldn’t detract from a marvelous Miners’ effort.
