Leigh Miners Rangers ground out a tough win in humid conditions against the most resilient of opponents in Hull Dockers. Only in the closing stages of the game did Miners put the game to bed after Dockers had led for long spells in a see-saw battle. With the returning Leon Brennan contributing two classy tries and Darryl Kay and Shaun Dowie on song, Miners in the end just about got over the line. Dockers though, who roll over for nobody, had Jon Eccles with his own brace and great efforts from Steve Milne and Andy Kay in a losing outcome, but a resolute effort.

The visitors, delayed by motorway traffic, took an early lead through Eccles as he finished off a flowing passing move, Craig Skelton goaling, but Miners responded when Brennan sliced through for his first. Proceedings were further enlivened with a double sin-binning midway through the half, Jimmy Muir and Arron Bradley taking a ten minute sabbatical, but Miners struck during the under-staffed interlude, Brennan weaving his way through for his second to put the hosts ahead. Dockers though held the interval advantage as Skelton was first to a classy kick by halfback partner Andy Kay to ground a converted try and 12-10 at the turnaround.

Just minutes into the second half and Miners were back in front, Jack Probert finishing off Dowie’s break, but Dockers struck back when Eccles crashed through for his second. Miners were under pressure but snatched the advantage back when Youds dummied his way over from acting half. In the closing stages the home side embellished the scoreline, first as Dowie dived over following a fine Kay drive and offload then when Scott O’Brien put Danny Jackson through the gap in the closing minutes, Youds goaling both.

The Alliance team were awarded the points after opponents Widnes West Bank were unable to raise a team.

 

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