Leigh Miners Rangers 25 Woolston Rovers 14: FORMER amateur international Mike Warburton stepped out of semi-retirement and turned back the clock to steer the Miners to a crucial National Conference victory.

Warburton, usually confined to the second team after retiring from senior rugby at the end of last season, stepped into the breech when Aussie stand-off Aaron Beath cried off.

Answering the call from coach Warren Ayres, Warburton set up three tries, scored one himself and added a field goal in a man of the match winning performance.

Ran strongly

But this was no one man show as the Miners had to work hard against a Woolston side that hit hard and ran strongly in an effort to ease their nagging relegation worries.

Tommy Goulden, Steve Flannery and Shane Hindley had top games for the Miners with Lee Patterson and Craig Graham always a threat in the backs.

Woolston drew first blood with a Mark Roughneen penalty. Chances for Phil Dermott and Liam McCarthy followed but the Miners drew level with a 25th Flannery penalty.

But it wasn't until six minutes before half time that the Miners took the lead, hitting Rovers with a double whammy. Warburton moved the ball right and Flannery supplied the pass for Graham to get over in the corner. Two minutes later Warburton broke clear and as the cover closed in, his astute kick saw Patterson win the chase for the touchdown and a 10-2 interval lead.

In the second half it was another two-try blast that put the Miners in the driving seat. Warburton's well timed inside pass put Flannery clear and he sent Graham away for his second try. A Darren Pilkington break ended with Warburton touching down.

A Mark Shepherd try five minutes from time hinted at a possible comeback but the Miners had the final word when Sean Phoenix put Patterson in for his second try.