Leigh Miners Rangers 38 West Hull 0
An outstanding display of attacking and defensive rugby saw Miners end Wests’ seven match winning streak and leapfrog their opponents into third place. It was one of the most complete and exciting performances by Miners for many a year and although the game was far more keenly contested than the scoreline suggests this was a richly deserved success against quality opposition.
Miners were boosted by the early return of Scott O’Brien from injury whilst Martin Gray was also available again and Ross Bradley returned from his leg injury. Wests had international centre Sam Radford back in the centres as Mark Hewitt’s men arrived flush with confidence from their sensational recent form.
Miners made the ideal start, back-to-back penalties landing the field position for Bradley to drive to the line and suck in two tacklers, slipping the ball out for his winger Gray to dive over unopposed at the corner, Jonny Youds with a fine conversion. The game was nip-and-tuck though with both sides testing out the opposition defences, and Wests almost responded as lively stand-off Ian Kerman danced through on half-way but his inside pass to Aidan Morton was spilled. Miners were the more clinical and they seized a commanding lead with two tries in three minutes, first as Adam Thomason showed neat footwork to shimmy over under the posts, then a spectacular solo effort as Lee Gittins stormed through from half way and fended off the tackle of Danny Swales to power through for a classy try. Again Wests responded and enjoyed sustained pressure on the Miners’ line but simply could not find a way through as Thomason, Darryl Kay, Danny Jackson and Gittins led the defensive effort. Having held their line unbroken Miners hit their visitors with a quick double before half-time to take full control of the game. A fine break by the outstanding Martin Lewis saw the stand-off feed Youds on half-way and the fullback ran clear, dummying Chris Whinn to score under the posts and then Youds had a double right on half time, a scrum on the Wests line seeing the ball shipped quickly left and Youds diving in at the corner and 28-0 at the break.
Wests had certainly played their part in the game and they continued to show real resolve after the break, Paul Shaw leading the defensive effort as the visitors held firm. Miners almost extended their lead when Youds set Sean Pendlebury roaring clear down the middle only to be halted by Swales and then as the ball moved left Gittins was pushed into touch, but for thirty minutes the game was scoreless as both sides slugged it out. Miners finally made the breakthrough to put real gloss on the scoreline, Ben Parker spilling the ball under his own posts and from the scrum the ball was moved right for Gray to dive in for his second. At the death some sparkling rugby saw O’Brien and Youds combine and Gittins finished off to complete a hugely satisfying afternoon’s work.
Miners – Jonny Youds, Sean Pendlebury, Lee Gittins, Ross Bradley, Martin Gray, Martin Lewis, Scott O’Brien, Craig Connor, Tom Farrimond, Darryl Kay, Adam Thomason, Shaun Marsh, Danny Jackson Subs – Danny Jones, Joe Harrison, Kevin Howells, Liam Coleman
Tries – Gray (3, 71), Thomason (20), Gittins (23, 78), Youds (35, 39)
Goals – Youds 5
MoM – Jonny Youds
Wests – Danny Swales, Chris Whinn, Jack Ridsdill, Sam Radford, Sam Watson, Ian Kerman, Mark Hewitt, Brian Newby, Danny Bloom, Aidan Morton, Tom Radley, Paul Shaw, Dean Thompson Subs – Jimmy Walker, Scott Howlett, Marc Waller, Ben Parker
MoM – Paul Shaw
Referee – John McMullen
With thanks to Dave Balmer for the photos
