LEIGH MINERS RANGERS 24 LEIGH EAST 27: A TREMENDOUS first half display and overall spirited performance saw Leigh East crowned champions in the 22nd Tetley Carlsberg Supercup.

That said, as the last minutes ticked away Miners could do easily have stolen a victory, Leigh East tensely waiting for the referees' whistle.

Miners couldn't get into the initial exchanges, East, led by loose forward John Gunning, were rampant, sitting comfortably on a 16 point margin from the first 20 minutes. Tries came from centre Ian Lewis, scrum half Danny Kilshaw and stand off Chris Dootson, who converted two of the touchdowns.

Miners tried to rally, replying with a typical wingers try wide out to Glen Bracek, converted by centre Simon Hartley. On the stroke of half-time, though, East's stamped their authority back onto the game. Second row Rob Bowdler stormed over and winger John Woods scored the points for a convincing 22-6 half time lead.

Runaway win

More points by way of a penalty from John Woods had the visiting supporters rightly looking for a runaway win. However, the dogged loose forward Roy Stott for Miners forced his way over the line, the conversion by Hartley gave a slightly more respectable looking 12-24.

The large crowd now got well and truly behind the teams. It was a lift to Miners, as scrumhalf Sean Phoenix spied a break, sending Simon Hartley in for a try. East had no intention of caving in though, their top form forwards building a platform for a John Gunning penalty and field goal to winger Gary Molyneux.

Ten minutes left and as usual between these two sides it would now go to the wire. Miners threw everything into the battle, hooker Paul Hayes bravely crossing twice in the space of five minutes, bludgeoning his way from acting half. Maddening for the East's defence that had been so robust. As fortune would have it the conversion attempts went wide, and Leigh East deservedly had their hands on the Grainey Trophy once more.