DELIGHT for Leigh Miners' Alliance side as they clinched the Alliance Cup.

For the seniors, however, the season ended on a low note...

Peter Sharp gave his best from full-back, centre Neil McColloch and prop Mark Edwards caused problems in the early stages - but the net result for Leigh MR was a big, fat zero.

The team's final outing of a disappointing season ended in a 21-0 defeat at Wigan St Patrick's.

Half-backs Mike Devine and Mike Warburton worked hard to find a chink in the armour, second row John Maxwell pounded away at the defence, Tony Dowling was always quick to break clear from acting half.

But, apart from a near miss from Winston Sarsfield, chasing a grubber kick and diving for the touchdown only for the referee to blow for knock-on, there was little cheer for MR.

The Wigan side kept plugging away and a late flourish earned them a flattering scoreline.

Back to Miners' joy - and a 9-5 Alliance Cup Final win against Thatto Heath.

It gave coaches Brian Cleworth and Ian Cumming success at their first managerial task. And they now go all out to take the league title to Twist Lane for a memorable double.

Miners were 5-0 down at the break, but on a wind-swept day there was always hope for the second period.

They were always within reach thanks to the efforts of Howard Newton, Clive Aldred, Alan Coleman and Tommy Keane.

After the break Simon Wood and Tommy Winstanley constantly gained ground with MoM a tower of strength and the versatile Lee Lomax a willing worker.

Terry Sutton and Howard Newton fashioned a chance for winger Stu Wilcocks to score, a Coleman drop levelled it.

Then Coleman was in demand at the other end, a superb try-saving tackle keeping MR in the picture.

Victory came in dramatic fashion, Steve Cleworth and Wood going close, the unstoppable Lomax clinching it with too few minutes on the clock for any reply. Next news story

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