York City Knights (LSV)
Leigh Miners attentions turn to the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup on Sunday when they entertain York City Knights at the Leigh Sports Village in the fifth round, Kick off 2pm. It is the first time Miners have ever featured in this stage of the competition and they are determined to create a little more history this weekend and become the first amateur side to make it through to Round six in what is a massive occasion for everyone involved at Leigh Miners Rangers.
Miners go into Sunday’s clash on the back of six successive victories with the most recent being a 24-10 away victory at Oulton Raiders last weekend, playing nowhere near as well as they are capable of but having enough in the locker to get the win to make it three from three in the league and move them to the top of the early season table ahead of this weekends NCL fixtures.
The players know they are going to have to be at their best if they are to progress into round six and will certainly need to start both half’s much better than they did at Oulton, but it’s a challenge they are looking forward to after making a great start to the year they are determined to enjoy the day after what has been a very good build up again this week with two tough and intense training sessions along with a video session with Leigh Centurions.
On last weeks first away league win of the season, second rower Tommy Parkinson said “I think we started slowly by making silly mistakes and putting pressure on ourselves but when we started sticking to our game plan and toughened up in defence we eventually started to take control of the match. We toughed it out again at the beginning of the second half and our patience finally paid off in the final quarter when we wrapped up the win.”
Looking ahead to the York game Tommy said “It is a big day for us and the club because it’s a possibility we could create history. We have prepared well and go into the game with lots of confidence, Hopefully we will have a lot of support from the stands and we can turn up to prove how good we are.”
Coaches Allan Coleman & Paul Whitworth will have some very tough decisions to make when they select the seventeen to take on York with all of last weeks side that won at Oulton available along with Chris Bowers, Harry Gagen, Scott O’Brien, Connor Ratcliffe and Adam Thomason who will all be hoping to take on York City Knights.
Reflecting on the Oulton win last weekend Allan Coleman said “We started poorly against Oulton, our completion rate at one stage was 22% but we stuck together and got it back up to 50% at half time, completion like that is not good enough but it shows how well we are defending with stats like that. We played really structured in the second half with very good shape.and we got the result we wanted.”
With Paul Whitworth adding “Against Oulton we made quiet a few changes again some planned and some enforced to make sure we make sure everyone is getting good game time and also to let a couple of niggly injuries settle down. Due to the changes it took a while for us settle down and at times it tested our character. But making these changes means we are at full strength going into the York game.”
“The start to the season couldn’t be better we’re pretty healthy and everyone is working very hard, Our structure is improving and there’s competition all over the team but we’re far from the finished article, there is still lots of improvement in us and that’s what is encouraging for the club.”
On Sunday’s visit of Championship One side York, Paul said “We can’t wait to get out and test ourselves against a professional side again. I was really impressed with the referees performance in the last round and it helped with how we play the game. Obviously though they are massive favourites and will be under pressure to get the win.”
“I’ve watched a couple of videos of their last games and they are big, strong and well organised by their half’s. It will be a step up from the Oxford game and we just need to concentrate on our structures with high completion and play in the right areas, Like I said last time out the only pressure on us is to perform to our ability.”
With Coleman adding “We are going to prepare for York like we would for a final, Its our cup final and we want to make history on Sunday. Like I keep saying the attitude of the players is second to none to any team I’ve ever been involved with.”
“York are a very strong and powerful side, watching there last four games we need to defend the best we have ever defended, I am confident we will score points so defence is the key for me on Sunday.”
“I would just like to thank everyone involved from kit man to the chairman and a big thanks to the town of Leigh for believing in us, We wont let you down!”
York City Knights are a club in turmoil off the field with them currently having no fixed home and there being unrest between the clubs supporters and board. But on the field coach James Ford who is in his first year in charge has a semi professional coach has assembled a good squad and will be looking to challenge at the the top end of the division again this year.
The Knights travel to Leigh on the back of a 44-20 victory against Miners round four opponents Oxford RL to get them off the mark in the league after losing their opening game on good Friday against Keighley Cougars. In the cup York have beat South Wales Scorpions 20-4 in Round 3 and NCL Division Two outfit Featherstone Lions 58-8 in Round 4.
Speaking to the York Press ahead of the game, York coach James Ford said, “Leigh Miners have got some very good individual players and play a good high-tempo jump-and-react style of footy. We will have to be good in contact and good around our processes to make sure we progress.
“I’ve seen a video of their win over Oxford. They were very good value for it – it wasn’t as if they were fortunate in any way.”
“I think it’s probably the general English mentality to get behind the underdog, and rugby league is no different,” he said.
“We know they will be heavily supported by Miners Rangers fans and Centurions fans, and neutrals will be behind them.
“We’re going there with a job to do and we will have to be at our best.”
Leigh Miners 2nd team continue their defence of the NWML Trophy on Saturday when they take on Widnes Tigers at home in the second round, Kick off 2-30pm at Twist Lane.
The u18s are at home on Sunday against Woolston Rovers in the league, Kick off 11am at Twist Lane.
Leigh Miners Ladies start their new Women’s Premier Division season on Sunday when they travel over the Pennines to Yorkshire to take on Stanningley.
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