Woolston Rovers 12

Leigh Miners Rangers 16 LEIGH Miners produced their best performance of the season to secure their first win at Woolston in over 10 years. And in doing so perhaps delivered a fatal blow to the championship hopes of Warren Ayres' old club.

In his programme notes Rovers coach John Fieldhouse stressed the importance of his side winning the match if they were challenge West Hull for the title. But he could not have envisaged the determination of a Miners side that dominated the first half and just wouldn't lie down in a see-saw second.

The heavens opened shortly after kick off, exacerbating conditions on an already churned up pitch. But as the rain died, so too Woolston faded. And as the home side lost their heads, the Miners kept cool.

Sean Phoenix and Paul Redford settled into their new partnership at half back, Matt Irwin produced a solid full-back performance in difficult conditions and it was he who set up the opening try. After a scoreless first half hour, Irwin linked up at a scrum, dragging two defenders out wide and creating the space for Steve Clarke to burst over for a try converted by Mark Hudspith.

Just before the break Hudspith added a penalty for an 8-0 lead.

When Woolston sub Jon Cole burst 50 yards for a try in the opening minute of the second half, the Miners might have feared a Rovers' fightback. But the Leigh side always kept their noses in front.

After Lee Lomax appeared to lose the ball inches short, Danny Flannery pounced for a try and a 12-4 lead. Woolston stormed back through the impressive Cole to narrow the game to two points.

The crucial try came with 10 minutes left when Clarke shimmied out wide and created the gap to storm in for his second and although Woolston came back again, the Miners held out.

With Irwin sin-binned and Mark Wallington adding a late penalty, nerves were jangling in the final six minutes but the Miners survived the late pressure for a famous win.

Tomorrow struggling Walney Central are the visitors to Twist Lane, kick off 2.30pm.