Leigh Miners Rangers 14 West Hull 34: WEST Hull all but guaranteed themselves runners-up spot in the Premier Division with a comprehensive victory over a gallant, if out-gunned, Leigh Miners.

Terry Lynn was at his mercurial best for Wests in a top performance that also included a two-try cameo from Papuan New Guinea substitute John Okul.

The Miners asked plenty of questions and were well in contention at half time but after the break Lynn and Okul steered Wests to a crucial victory.

The Miners started full of confidence before Wests took a 10th minute lead with a move involving Lynn and finished powerfully by Paul Watts wide out. The veteran winger was in for his second minutes later after Lee Moreton had broken clear. Loz Wildbore goaled and Wests were cruising before a crazy three minutes of the half put the Miners back in contention.

Craig Graham grabbed the first home try only for Okul to cancel that out when he picked up Alan Reddicliffe's kick to burst under the posts and score. But with the last move of the half Darren Pilkington scythed through for the Miners and they trailed 16-8 at the break.

Strengthened

Minutes into the second half the lifeline was strengthened when Tommy Goulden put Steve Flannery under the posts and Simon Hartley goaled to close the gap to two points.

The game was still in the balance but Lynn seized the initiative, scorching through an open defence from a scrum on half way to stifle Miners' comeback.

On the hour mark the game was secured by Wests when Pete Stephenson scored off Okul's break and then the former PNG international grabbed his second.