Thatto Heath 12 Leigh Miners 30: LEIGH Miners Rangers paid a dreadful price for their return to winning ways.

Inspirational half-back Mark Wallington suffered an horrific leg injury which caused the abandonment of Friday's floodlit game eight minutes early.

With 72 minutes gone the result will stand and Thatto can have few complaints as man of the match Wallington had already played his part in ensuring a Miners victory.

Thatto, with only one previous success all season, found themselves out of the game at half time as the Miners built up a commanding 22-8 lead.

Impressuive centre Alan Reddicliffe opened Leigh's account after just three minutes when he worked with winger Shaun Daley to split the home defence and race in for a try goaled by Dave Radley.

Mike Woods pulled a penalty back for Thatto but after 11 minutes Reddicliffe laid on a try for Tommy Goulden before grabbing his second nine minutes later for Radley to convert.

A Leigh mistake gave Thatto a converted try but five minutes from the break Darren Pilkington raced away for another sx-pointer to give the Miners a big cushion.

Thatto opened strongly in the second half and pulled another two tries back sandwiched between a Radley penalty.

But the Miners then broke from their own half and sub Dave Patterson charged in from 40 metres off a Wallington pass. Radley goaled again.

Two minutes later Wallington suffered his injury and his season, and the game, were over.