MINERS Rangers sealed a 40-10 win at West Hull to move level on points with league leaders Rochdale Mayfield, with a game in hand offering them the opportunity to seize outright leadership of the NCL Premier when they play their catch-up match at home to Thatto Heath tonight.

A fine hat-trick of tries from young winger Harry Gagen paved the way for this commanding victory, Shaun Dowie starring with two tries and the man of the match award.

Further Miners tries came from Jimmy Muir, Scott O’Brien and Connor Ratcliffe, Jonny Youds with four goals. Miners now welcome relegation-battling Thatto, who have hit a good run of form as they bid to mount a late survival bid, for the first meeting between the two sides this season.

The Alliance team went down to defeat at league leaders Orrell St James to leave their promotion hopes in the balance.

Meanwhile the under-18s will need to replay their Lancashire Cup semi-final against Mayfield after both teams were found to have played ineligible players.

That match will be at Twist Lane on September 6. In the league campaign, the youngsters finished fifth in the Premier Two.

The women’s team play their final league match at Oulton in September, before embarking on their play-off campaign.