LEIGH MINERS find it difficult to believe stories about the water drought in Yorkshire.
They found the Dudley Hill field was a swamp on Saturday - and lost their way with a slippery ball amid the mudbath.
Hill won 14-10, leaving Miners deep in the National Conference mire. But they began well, Stuart Pugsley's run setting up Tony Dowling and then Nigel Casey for the try. Back came the Yorkshire battlers for 6-4. Then, despite the efforts of Steve Smith, Mike Devine, Mick Williamson and Jason Battersby, the ball continued to spill at crucial moments.
The homesters change of strip freshened up their attack and a tired defence leaked two tries.
With 10 minutes to go Miners found new heart, sub Martin Lee urging his men on.
A try from Neil McColloch, goaled by Winston Sarsfield, kept the pressure on. But both sides looked happy to hear the final whistle.
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