Leigh Miners Rangers 24 Skirlaugh 6: LAST season's beaten National Conference Grand Finalists, Leigh Miners, have set their sights on going one better than runner's-up medals.

Whether they have the fire-power to achieve their goal remains to be seen, but this Elimination Play-Off victory at least extended their season by another week.

The Miners will now continue their sudden death adventure with a trip to West Bowling this Saturday.

Both the Miners and Skirlaugh were decimated by injuries and international call-ups but they served up a tense game in driving rain at Twist Lane.

In a gripping opening the Miners should have scored in the second minute when Sean Phoenix knocked on with bags of support close by and only the full-back to beat.

It took 20 minutes to break the deadlock when Phoenix's break set up a try for Simon Hartley.

The Miners' extra pace in the backs was a big advantage and it was shown again when Alan Reddicliffe regathered his own kick through and burst under the posts for a try goaled by Hartley. Another Hartley penalty on the stroke of half time put the Miners 12-0 up.

With conditions making handling difficult, the Miners effectively sealed the game just after the break when Lee Patterson's pace from 30 yards out saw him race away to the posts. Hartley converted and at 18-0 the Miners were home and dry.

Skirlaugh had their best spell and asked the Miners' defence a number of questions but the likes of Rob Carroll, Jon Light and Mark Marino had the answers. But the clean sheet was spoiled six minutes from time when Sean Wildbore powered in from close range and Gary Smith converted.

But the result was never in doubt and they sealed their victory with a stunning solo effort from Patterson who broke clear from half way, beat three men and slide in at the corner.