Leigh Miners Rangers 19

Siddal 16 LEIGH Miners Rangers continued their winning ways with a hard-fought victory over spirited newcomers Siddal.

But it was a nerve-jangling second half for Warren Ayres' team as Siddal threatened to overturn an 18-8 interval deficit.

The home team started like a steam train and threatened a big win after rattling up a big half time advantage. But Siddal have come a long way in the opening weeks of the season and narrowed the gap to two points before a late Craig Wilson field goal assured the Miners of victory.

Early chances

Both sides had early chances, Darryl Rowlands being tackled inches short before Nicky Smith nearly snatched a lead for the visitors. But it was Leigh who eventually took the lead when Wilson stood up in a tackle and passed out to Jon Light to crash under the posts for a try converted by Steve Flannery.

Midway through the half the Miners doubled their advantage in fortuitous circumstances; Wilson kicking through a misplaced pass for Roy Stott to pounce. Flannery again converted and the Miners looked set to run away with the game.

Siddal applied the brakes minutes later. Martin Thompson had been denied a try by Steve Clarke but moments later he was over after great play by Carl Gregg. Shaun Blackburn added a penalty but the Miners restored a 12-point advantage when Sean Phoenix latched onto Wilson's pass for a converted try and although Blackburn added another penalty, the Miners looked comfortable at 18-8.

Whatever Martin Scrimshaw told his troops at half time certainly worked as Siddal produced a storming comeback prompted by Gregg and outstanding full-back Darren Phillips as they clawed back Miners' lead.

Within minutes of the restart Phillips' long break had been finished by centre Steve Gracie and with Blackburn converting, and adding another penalty, the game was back in the balance. With over 20 minutes left the pressure began to tell on both sides as misplaced passes and knock-ons crept in.

But the Miners just held out although it needed a brave tackle from Stott and Matt Irwin to deny Gracie a winning score. At the death Wilson's calm field goal ensured a Miners victory.