Leigh Miners Rangers 46, Skirlaugh 24

FIVE tries from Miners' teenage centre Richard Varkulis sealed a stunning comeback and cemented Leigh's place in the play-off pack.

But for over 30 minutes it looked as though the points would be heading back to Humberside as Skirlaugh built up a sizeable 18-4 lead.

In astonishing turnaround, the Miners pegged it back to 18-18 at the break and afterwards ran Skirlaugh off the park as they cruised into a 36-18 lead.

Early on the Miners were completely out of sorts as Skirlaugh crossed for three tries through Dean Ralph, Ian Paddock and Phil Kennedy with Colin Brown adding three goals.

Only response

Leigh's only response was a try in the corner from Craig Graham after good work by Craig Wilson.

The introduction of Chris Lee and Lee Lomax off the bench had a massive impact on the Miners' performance, Lee with his distribution and kicking and Lomax with his all-round effort.

A quickly taken tap penalty brought Varkulis his first try and while Skirlaugh's Kevin Smith was in the sin-bin, the Miners crossed three more times. Lomax and Mark Sarsfield combined for Lomax to finish a try that Steve Flannery goaled before Tommy Goulding's long break set up Varkulis again.

In the first minute of the second half Lee's defence-splitting pass put Varkulis in for his hat-trick.

Even though Graham missed a sitter the Miners had their tails up. Lee landed a penalty and then provided the pass that brought Varkulis try number four. Lee also landed the touchline conversion.

A 70-metre move ended with a fine finish from Sarsfield before Skirlaugh pulled back another six points.

But it was to be Leigh's day with Sarsfield adding a second and Varkulis going in again.