Underbank Rangers (Home)
Leigh Miners play their first game of 2016 on Saturday when they take on Underbank Rangers from Huddersfield in the first round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, kick off 2-30pm at Twist Lane.
Miners go into Saturday’s game having started there pre season at the beginning of January with Saturday morning conditioning sessions at the Green Hill, Borsdane Woods and Pennington Flash. Training in the week as seen the forwards and backs from both senior sides and u18s split up on Tuesday’s to go to either Leigh Boxing Club for a flogging or the LSV for skills and conditioning, before all coming together as one on Thursdays.
The sessions have been tough and varied with all the lads getting stuck into training, working hard in preparation for the start of their defence of the National Conference League Premier Division title which begins in March with a home game against Rochdale Mayfield. All the players know that they are going to have to be at their best in every game this year after last years treble triumph, with every team they play wanted to knock them of their perch. It’s a challenge that they are very much looking forward to as they aim for more silverware in a massive year for the club as they celebrate their 50th year.
Coach Allan Coleman who will this year be assisted by Stuart Pugsley and Simon Travis will have the majority of last years squad available, but will be without Shaun Dowie who as this week returned to Australia, Danny Jackson who is having a spell out of the game along with Adam Thomason and Jonny Youds who could miss the majority of the season if not all due to knee and shoulder injuries respectively. Coming into the squad are hooker Ryan Lee, prop Tom Eckersley who returns to club after having a spell at Thatto Heath and time out of the game, Young hooker Jordan Hill who has joined from Leigh Centurions reserves and goal kicking utility back Ian Mort who returns to his junior club after playing for Leigh, Swinton and North Wales Crusaders in the professional game.
Underbank Rangers travel to Twist Lane having been in pre season since mid December under long serving coach Richard Knight and will this year ply their trade in National Conference League Division One after they where promoted via the Playoffs in 2015, coming back from 24-4 down in the final to win 28-24 against Leigh East.
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