Leigh Miners Rangers 36

Saddleworth Rangers 8 LEIGH Miners Rangers made it three wins on the bounce as they cruised to their biggest win of the season against the National Conference Premier Division's basement side.

A strong first half performance, where the Miners led 20-4, set the platform for the home side and they continued to score regularly throughout the second period despite a spirited effort from improving Rangers.

In truth, Miners won this at a canter and without ever really hitting top form. After a patchy opening 10 minutes the home side took the lead in fortuitous fashion, Mick Leach and Steve Clarke took play forward before Martin Hulme scooted in. Three minutes later the game was as good as over when Mark Sarsfield intercepted on half way and sprinted under the sticks for a converted try.

Saddleworth almost pulled one back when Mick Farrell stretched himself almost to breaking point but couldn't reach his own kick through.

On the half hour Miners pulled further clear when Paul Redford's hopeful pass was gathered up by Richard Varkulis to scramble in.

The visitors finally got on the scoresheet when tall winger Chris Arden showed real strength to burst in from 20 yards out. But the Miners took a commanding lead when Seam Phoenix dabbed a bouncing kick through for Sarsfield to gather and score.

Minutes into the second half it was 26-4 when Lomax fed Steve Flannery a few yards short and the tough loose forward crashed over near the sticks.

Rangers never gave in and mounted spirited resistance after the break. Jim Rodgers showed admirable pace for a big man to sprint in through two tackles and score at the corner.

But the Miners scored twice more before the end to conform their superiority.

Varkulis showed all the power that made him such a hit on the recent BARLA youth tour by powering over. At the death came the best try. Redford's bomb was caught by Flannery who fed Irwin and finally Phoenix to walk under the posts.