Oulton Raiders 14 Leigh Miners Rangers 12: LEIGH Miners fell to their fourth defeat in five games as the Raiders hung on for their first home success of the season.

The Yorkshire side got off to a lively start when winger Steve McGreavey and centre Stephen Jackman combined to put winger David Wilkin over at the corner inside four minutes.

Both sides created chances but neither could finish as defences scrambled well. Oulton prop Paul Fellows was a tower of strength for the Raiders, impressive in attack and also in defence as he stopped the likes of Steve Flannery and Andy Forber.

More problems

The Raiders hung onto their narrow 4-0 lead at half time but when the Miners introduced Dave Patterson from the bench at the start of the second half, they began to pose more problems.

But it was Oulton who managed to increase their lead when Wilkin was put in for a try from a gem of a pass from Dave Craven for Alan White to add the extras.

The Miners desperately needed a score and it came from Patterson after he had been put through a gap by Alan Reddicliffe. Dave Radley added the goal.

But the Miners comeback was halted in its tracks when Alan White broke and sent in brother David.

The Miners were far from finished though and with eight minutes left Martin Ridyard raced in for a try that Radley goaled.

It set up a frenzied finish but the Raiders hung on for victory.