Siddal 22 Leigh Miners Rangers 8: SIDDAL moved back to the top of the Arriva Trains Conference Premier Division by ending Leigh Miners' nine-match winning streak.

But the Halifax-based side needed two late tries to kill off the Miners and gain revenge for their Powergen Challenge Cup defeat just before Christmas.

The Miners will feel they could have won this game, especially as they put in a magnificent defensive effort in the second half. They were still in with a shout of victory until two tries in the final eight minutes took Siddal clear.

Johnny Lawless, released by Halifax in midweek, made his mark off the bench for Siddal and there was another strong performance from a second ex-pro, Mick Shaw.

But it was the Miners who made the brighter start with Australian centre Ben Conlan going in on the overlap in the fourth minute for a try that Dave Radley goaled from the touchline.

Shaun Blackburn pulled a penalty back for Siddal. Radley replied and Neil Donlan had a try disallowed when the touchjudge ruled a foot in touch as he made the grounding.

Jonny Light, Liam McCarthy and Alan Reddicliffe were all influential figures as the Miners hung onto their 8-2 lead until the second half.

Blackburn narrowed the gap in the 45th minute with a second penalty. Darren Phillips and Shaw both went close before the gap was down to two points with Blackburn's third penalty.

Siddal continued to press but the Miners kept them out with some excellent defensive work. That was until the 68th minute when Paul Phillips forced a gap and Steve Lewis grabbed the crucial try.

The game slipped out of the Miners grasp in the closing minutes. Lawless created a try for Chris Harding, Shaw nipped in for another and Blackburn took his goals tally to five.