Leigh Miners Rangers ‘A’ 48 Wigan St Judes ‘A’ 8
Leigh Miners Rangers A Team kicked off their new season in the National Conference North West Alliance division with an opening victory over Wigan St Judes A.
With no opportunity of pre-season warm up games, four debutants and two players returning after long injury lay-offs it was expected the team was going to take time to find its feet.
It was the Jude’s side who were the first team to strike after a good passing movement saw them cut through the disorganised Miner’s left hand centre to score out wide. The conversion missed it was Miners chance to apply some pressure in the oppositions half and after the ball was shipped right, good centre play by Jonny Carroll found Danny Thomas just enough space to squeeze in at the corner tying the scores at 4-4. The Jude’s team responded to this score with a converted try after Miners gave away a penalty whilst in possession. As the game settled both teams exchanged sets with Miner’s beginning to start applying more pressure in the Jude’s half.
With Dean Balmer relentlessly taking the side forward, Leon Brennan came on at half back and immediately made an impact, when in a 5 minute spell before half-time, was involved in providing a ball for Danny Galvin to crash over. Dave Gator then scored a quick try right on half time to give the Miner’s a good lead.
Half Time 8-20.
The second half started much like the end of the first, with two quick tries by Ste Kenny. Both worthy of being picked as try of the match. The first was scored after Leon Brennan intercepted on his own line to go 80 metres before linking with scrum half Sean Pendlebury who in turn fed Ste Kenny after some desperate Jude’s defence tried to halt them. The second try was a solo effort from the resulting short kick off, Ste Kenny gathered the ball and broke the Jude’s defence, then rounded the full back in a text book in and out arced run.
With the scores 8-32 in the Miners favour it was the turn of the Jude’s team to apply pressure to the Miners Line. Five successive penalties were not enough to breach it which saw some excellent line defence by the likes of Dean Balmer, Joe Harrison, Danny Galvin and Dave Rowlands. Sean Pendlebury then intercepted to race the length of the field for his second touch down for Sam Shepherd to convert. Next on the score sheet was wing man, Danny Thomas, benefiting again off a great one handed offload by centre Jonny Carroll.
The last try of the match capped a satisfying comeback from his long term injury by Leon Brennan; whose introduction had sparked much of the Miner’s attacking plays. The man of the match Brennan was pushed very hard by Ste Kenny on his A Team debut.
With a handful of players due to return this week and the inclusion of the Under 18’s who have now finished their season, competition for shirts is sure to increase.
Final Score: 8 – 48 to Leigh Miners Rangers.
MOM: Leon Brennan.
1. S. Ord
2. D. Thomas TT
3. S. Shepherd CCCCCC
4. J. Carroll
5. D. Gator T
6. C. Wilson
7. S. Pendlebury TT
8. D. Balmer
9. J. Harrison
10. D. Trimble
11. M. Charles
12. S. Kenney TT
13. D. Rowlands ©
14. L. Brennan T
15. L. Sproston
16. D. Galvin T
17. M. Evans
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