Oulton Raiders 28

Leigh Miners Rangers 14 A MUCH-DEPLETED Leigh Miners side spun to a third successive away defeat against table-toppers Oulton on a West Yorkshire mudbath on Saturday.

Already stricken by injuries, coach Warren Ayres lost a further clutch of first-teamers in the days leading up to the match that resulted in the Miners travelling with just one substitute, and on a demanding pitch against physical opponents, the lack of fresh legs told.

Even so, a gutsy first half had Oulton rocking. Miners snatched an early lead when in-form Mark Hudspith stretched over in a two-man tackle for 4-0.

Stormed back

Oulton stormed back with an interception try from Hall to level matters but the Miners were still on top. Veteran Mark Meadows rolled back the years with a storming first half, ably supported by Tommy Goulding and Lee Lomax, and it was Meadows who scored on the half hour to restore the visitors' lead. The former Leigh prop bulldozed over from acting half for a try converted by Steve Flannery and a 10-4 interval lead.

The previous week Oulton overtunred a half time deficit to win and they repeated the feat against the Miners.

Tries from Sanchez, Swallow and Horton, all converted by Robb, turned the game on its head and when substitute Denton powered through a tired defence to move Oulton to 28-10 up, it was all over.

Credit to Miners in that they had the consolation of scoring the final try, Goulding going over for the score his efforts deserved.

The 14 players deserve praise for their gutsy effort but the Miners must bounce back with a victory as they face play-off rivals Ideal Isberg at Twist Lane on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.