Leigh Miners Rangers 34, Walney Central 12: AN earlier than anticipated kick-off in order that the teams could head off to see the Third Ashes Test resulted in a game where both teams seemed more preoccupied with their evening's entertainment rather than their own particular contest.

The Miners had the game sewn up inside 20 minutes as they opened up a 16-0 lead. Although Central battled back in the second half it was still insufficient to brighten the gloom of a grey day at Twist Lane.

But the Miners will be happy with the two points that keeps them in fourth place in the Premier Division table.

Walney have a tradition of causing the Miners some problems and if the Cumbrian outfit had played anything like they did in the second period in the first 40, the Leigh side could have been shot down.

Looking for bright spots, the hat-trick of tries from young winger Craig Graham will have put a smile on the face of coach Warren Ayres. Hooker Lee Lomax continued to be a threat but otherwise the Leigh team showed no real appetite to take Central to the cleaners when they had them on the ropes.

Relegation candidates

Central had a big show from international prop Stuart Dancer and young stand-off Lee Wallis but they looked like relegation candidates on this showing.

It took the home side just three minutes to open their account when Mick Warburton put in a kick to the corner and Graham won the race for a try. Three minutes later a break by Warburton put Darryl Rowlands away on a 70-metre scoring run, Mark Hudspith goaling.

When loose forward Craig Wilson swept in for the third try and Hudspith tacked on another goal, it was virtually all over.

The niggles started to creep in and Central's Paul Henderson and Wilson were sin-binned for punching before Warburton and Hudspith combined to put Graham in again. Hudspith stretched out for another try and added the goal to give the Miners a 26-0 half time lead.

Central sparked better in the second half as the Miners lost their way. They pulled one try back through Paul Managh and eight minutes later they were in again through James Finch.

But within 60 seconds the Miners had responded with Hudspith putting Graham in for his third after a typical burst by Lomax.

Central had the last word however, when Elliott claimed their third try in the final minute.

The Miners are in Challenge Cup action this weekend with a daunting first round trip to West Hull.