Leigh Miners Rangers 27, Thatto Heath Crusaders 34: THATTO Heath continued their impressive start to life in the top flight with a hard-fought win over Miners Rangers in a pulsating local derby.

The lead changed hands no fewer than seven times, and Mines had chances to draw and even win the game in injury time before a last gasp interception from emergency winger John Hughes sealed the game.

With both sides slightly understrength, this was nonetheless a match of the highest quality, excellently referred by Ian Tattersall, and a fine advert for rugby at this level.

Miners had new BARLA captain Tommy Goulden in fine form, and David Radley, Andy Forber and Lee Lomax offering fine support, but Thatto had the creative lynchpin in Darren Mitchell, who masterminded an impressive win.

The tone of the game was set from the first minute, when Miners knock-on from kick off allowed Jamie Hill to link up for a try, converted by impressive kicker Steve Dudley. Miners notched a point from their first attack when Alan Reddicliffe landed a field goal, and they took the lead when young winger Sean Daley intercepted on his own twenty and scorched clear to score, Radley converting.

Darren Blanchfield powered over to restore the visitors' lead but when Craig Graham scrambled in, the Miners led 15-12. In first half stoppage time Thatto re-took the lead when Mark Hayton burst over for 18-15.

Ten minutes into the second half the game appeared to be running away from Miners when Mitchell dived over in the corner, but a devastating seven minute spell turned the game on its head. Radley landed a penalty to narrow the gap before Chris Humphries stormed in out wide to reduce the arrears to one point. They finally wrested the advantage from Thatto when Goulden dived onto Pheonix' grubber, Radley converting for 27-22.

With less than ten minutes remaining that should of been enough, but Thatto stormed back when substitute Alan Dootson crossed after sustained pressure, Dudley converting to push the Crusaders one point clear. Miners had chances to snatch the spoils, but Radley missed with a penalty, then Pheonix and Goulden failed with field goals. As the Miners grew more desperate Hughes snatched on a loose pass to scoot in, Millet converting for the visitors victory.