Leigh Miners Rangers 30 West Hull 20
Miners Rangers moved four points clear at the top of the Premier Division but this was a hard-fought battle against a West Hull side which swept all before them in 2014 but now sit on the brink of relegation, their fine efforts here today notwithstanding. With just six points separating the sides going into the final minutes Wests were pushing for what could have proven the levelling score but Miners, led by the irrepressible Scott O’Brien, broke clear to seal the win with Brad Hargreaves’ second try of the game.
Wests were well-served by half-backs Ian Kerman and the ex-Hull FC man Danny Nicklas and it was the latter who opened the scoring when he dummied and scooted over for an early lead. Miners were on the back foot in this opening period and a break up the middle by Scott Howlett almost led to a second Wests’ try before the home side started to get to grips with proceedings. They took the lead when O’Brien chipped the defence and regathered before linking with Jonny Youds to put Harry Gagen over out wide, Youds goaling, then extended the advantage as Darryl Kay drove to the line and offloaded for the ball to be spread left and Hargreaves go over the line. Wests responded from a scrum as Nicklas found a gap to go through to score, and then as the pendulum swung again they regained the lead, Nicklas’ bobbling kick being missed by the back-tracking defence and Josh Nicklin nipping in to score, Dylan Price converting. There was still time for one last twist before the break though, and Miners had the interval advantage when some slick play saw O’Brien put Youds over for 16-14.the
The opening stages of the second half were nervy from both sides and although Miners had the territory they didn’t find a way through until just before the hour mark, when O’Brien split the defence and found Shaun Dowie in support for the try. With twelve minutes remaining and the home side appeared home and hosed when O’Brien’s bomb was spilled by the defence and the Miners’ captain was on hand to regather and offload off the deck to Gagen to finish off for his second. Wests though drew upon immense reserves of character and were back within six points when Ash Rout scored, but in the closing minutes and as Wests hunted for the levelling score Miners broke clear through the outstanding O’Brien and Hargreaves was on hand to finish off.
Miners – Andrew Groves, Harry Gagen, Brad Hargreaves, Jonny Youds, Gareth Pain, Jimmy Muir, Scott O’Brien, Chris Bower, Shaun Dowie, Darryl Kay, Tommy Parkinson, Mark Nicholson, Mick O’Boyle Subs – Tom Farrimond, Charles Tyson, Matt Astley, Connor Partington
Tries – Gagen (18, 68), Hargreaves (22, 79), Youds (39), Dowie (57)
Goals – Youds 3
Sin-Bin – Muir (48, fighting)
MoM – Scott O’Brien
Wests – Josh Nicklin, Jack Watts, Callum King, Ash Rout, Dylan Price, Ian Kerman, Danny Nicklas, Scott Howlett, Callum Windley, Lee Cator, Louis Crowther, Jacob Moore, Ryan Steen Subs – Ben Arbon, Calvin Parker, James Garmston, Ryan Wilson
Tries – Nicklas (4, 33), Nicklin (37), Rout (77)
Goals – Price 2
Sin-Bin – Crowther (48, fighting)
MoM – Ash Rout
Referee – Greg Dolan
