Leigh East 12, Leigh Miners Rangers 26: LEIGH Miners Rangers all but clinched a National Conference Premier Division top five play-off place with a fully deserved derby victory over East.

The Miners wrestled third spot from their Grasmere Street rivals but the 700 crowd had to endure a scrappy and disjointed game that was only really decided on the hour when Chris Lee's penalty gave the Miners some breathing space at 20-12.

The Miners always seemed to have the edge and in Aussie pair Grant Parker and Craig Wilson, had two influential figures. They also had outstanding loose forward Tommy Goulding.

East were best served by loose forward Dave Radley, scrum half Danny Kilshaw and full-back Simon Warhurst.

The Miners got the start they wanted when Wilson stood up in a tackle and slipped the ball away for Parker to slice through to the posts. Steve Flannery added the extras.

Crash over

East soaked up a lot of pressure and the first time they got within sight of the Miners' line, prop Sean Whiteside scattered the defence to crash over for a try goaled by Radley.

Radley missed a penalty shot but Flannery did manage to find the target to give the Miners an 8-6 half time lead.

Sub Rob Bowdler gave East the lead early in the second half when he scrambled over in the corner, Radley adding a fine touchline conversion.

But the lead only lasted a few minutes as Goulding slipped away from the East defence for a solo try goaled by Flannery.

The crucial score came in the 54th minute when Chris Lee's swirling bomb was mishandled by the East defence and Richard Varkulis powered in for a vital try.

A Flannery penalty put the game out of East's reach and in the closing minutes Varkulis went in for his second try with Lee adding the extras.