Myton Warriors 19 Leigh Miners Rangers 10
Miners Rangers suffered their first defeat since late July but the play-offs remain in their hands after this tight tussle at Marist. The result leaves the Warriors on the verge of confirming the Minor Premiership in their first season at this level and saw them become only the second team this season to do the league double over Miners, but the Leigh side can take plenty of heart should they cross swords with Myton somewhere down the line at the business end of 2012.
Both sides were obliged to draw upon their playing reserves as a combination of injuries, holidays and international commitments ruled out a host of players. Miners were without Ross Bradley, Jonny Youds, Tom Farrimond, Martin Lewis, Liam Coleman, Aaron Gorton and Kevin Howells with John Woods also forced out of the action inside the first fifteen minutes. Luke Warburton came in for his open age debut after returning to the club from Warrington Wolves and Todd Appleby and Steve Kenny also came into the side. Myton were without Lee Fewlass, Jordan Precious and Marc Donnelly as they returned from England Lions duties whilst Carl Booth and Matt Welham were also ruled out, although Ricky Hough returned to the side at hooker.
In glorious sunny conditions the tone for a tense contest was set from the first whistle as Miners muscled up in defence to negate the bigger Myton forwards. Having absorbed the early pressure the visitors drew first blood when Scott O’Brien kicked a forty-twenty and from the resultant position play was taken to the Myton line and Danny Jones showed neat footwork and strength to force his way over the line, Josh Ward goaling. Miners were in control at this point and had chances to extend their lead, first when Steve Tooze went on a barnstorming run from half-way only for possession to be lost as the ball was moved right. Then O’Brien chipped over the line and raced through to regather and pass to Ward but a crunching tackle forced the knock-on as the young stand-off raced for the line.
Those missed chances came back to haunt Miners as they finally cracked just before the break, a curious penalty giving the Hull side possesion and Steve Atkinson slipped the pass out for Lee James to crash over the line, Ashley James goaling to level matters at the break.
If the visitors had edged the first half it was a different story after the break as Myton cranked up the pressure, and just five minutes into the second half they had the lead for the first time with a fine break down the right, Ashley James passing to Gavin Drewery and the young centre in turn found Aaron Fewlass in support to finish off. Miners were handed a way back into the game as Myton were reduced to twelve and then eleven men in quick succession. First Lee James was banished to the sidelines, having initially been ordered to retrieve the ball when he had booted it downfield after a Myton break was pulled back for a knock-on he was then sent to cool his heels after showing dissent. Within three minutes he was joined by Brad Krebs for using knees in the tackle, but despite the two man advantage Miners couldn’t find a way through the resolute defence. Indeed Myton extended their advantage when Kris Walker landed a field goal to push the home side 13-6 ahead, and when the Warriors were restored to a full complement they had their third try as some good pressure on the left flank saw Jon Hobson score and 17-6 with a further Ashley James penalty extending the lead beyond two scores at 19-6.
Miners did have the last word as O’Brien and Appleby combined to put Jonny Carroll in at the corner but despite their best efforts it was too little too late as Myton had the win. Miners though can take heart from their efforts as the play-off push continues.
Myton – Alec Hobman, Chris Wainman, Gavin Drewery, Nick Halstead, Lee James, Ashley James, Kris Walker, Allan Dunham, Ricky Hough, Steve Atkinson, Richard Dunham, Mark Spence, Aaron Fewlass Subs – Jon Hobman, Brad Krebs, James Johnson, Ryan Marrazza
Tries – L James (37), Fewlass (45), J Hobman (63)
Goals – A James 3
FG – Walker
Sin-Bins – L James (51, dissent), Krebs (54, dangerous tackle)
MoM – Richard Dunham
Miners – Jimmy Muir, John Woods, Lee Gittins, Adam Thomason, Jonny Carroll, Josh Ward, Scott O’Brien, Craig Connor, Danny Jones, Darryl Kay, Steve Kenny, Shaun Marsh, David Rowlands Subs – Luke Warburton, Stephen Tooze, Todd Appleby, Gareth Pain
Tries – Jones (9), Carroll (74)
Goal – Ward
MoM – Darryl Kay
Referee – Mark Hebblethwaite
With thanks to Les Booth for the photos
