NEW-FOUND confidence has given Leigh MR a fresh lease of life as they bounding away from the relegation scrap.

The nimbleness of centre Mark Sarsfield and the sterling qualities of packman Paul Daniel were the foundations as Miners continued their resurgence with a thumping 26-10 win against Castleford Lock Lane.

They began in quickfire style with a breakaway try, Paul Shepherd inter-passing with Sarsfield for the centre to cap a 70-metre burst with the score.

Next the try of the season . . . maybe!

MR held the Cas challenge to a high up 'n under, full-back Matt Irwin collecting on the sprint before jetting 90 metres for the TD.

Chris Wilkinson goaled both tries but missed the next as Miners ended a purple patch with another try, this time Mick Warburton spinning the pass wide out for Paul Daniel to shoot clear of the defence to dive over.

Lock Lane were far from finished, however, and clawed their way back for an interval score of 16-12.

Miners met the battle head-on after the break with Darren Mort and sub packman Tony Dowling outstanding.

Then, from a set piece, Chris Flynn made the space for Shepherd to surge in for the try.

Lock Lane produced some exciting and flowing rugby as they tried to get back but MR answered with good work from Graham Hindley and Damien Fletcher.

Then Mort escaped his tacklers to ship an inside pass for Daniel to storm in for his second try, Wilkinson adding the goal.

In a robust final 10 minutes forwards Lee Stretch and Howard Newton stood out in some fiery exchanges.

LEIGH EAST . . . U11s beat Waterhead 32-12 (Peters, Dawber, O'Brien, Cleworth, Seddon, Hook; MoM McGuire, Most Improved Perry); Tigers U9s beat Portico Panthers 50-46 and coaches will be dragging out the tackle bags for the next training session; U8s beat Golborne 34-4 (TT Ben Hanson, MoM Brett Hardman, Matthew Rozman 3, David Hodgson 2, Kieron Williams 2).

LATEST scores from the NorthWest Counties ARL . . . Division Five: Accrington 0 Leigh Royal Oak 18, Culcheth Eagles 18 Burtonwood Bridge 8; Alliance: Eccles 18 Leigh MR 0, Parkside Golborne 27 Halton Simms Cross 14.

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