Leigh Miners Rangers 12 Wigan St Patricks 6 Leigh Miners Rangers moved to within one point of the league leaders, and with a game in hand, following a battling victory in grim conditions over derby rivals Wigan St Patricks.

With a swirling wind, freezing rain and a heavy pitch, this was as much a battle against the elements as against their opponents but Miners emerged with flying colours to end 2007 on a high.

This was never going to be a high-scoring epic as both sides produced stern defensive efforts, an early Martyn Ridyard penalty opening the scoring but then Pats, playing into the wind, having the better of it with Mick Daniels held up over the line.

The closest Miners came to crossing the whitewash came when Simon Hartley lost control as he stretched for the line, and a further Ridyard penalty was the only other score of the half.

With the wind at their backs Pats might have fancied their chances at just 4-0 down, but they were given a mountain to climb when Liam Coleman's astute chip over the defence sat up perfectly for Ridyard to collect at pace and touch down.

Pats did respond as Miners' defence switched off for the only time in the game, Andy Parker waltzing over from a scrum under the posts and Anthony Atherton's conversion leaving the score 8-6 but a late try from substitute Gary Dunne, backing up Aaron Gorton's break, secured the victory for the home side.

This weekend Miners travel to Guiseley for the long-delayed National Cup first round tie.