Leigh Miners Rangers 23 Lock Lane 6

MINERS Rangers extended their unbeaten home record against their toughest opponents to date as free-scoring Lock Lane were blunted in gloomy conditions at Twist Lane.

Miners' win was built on their phenomenal defence, keeping the prolific Lane to the sole try 13 minutes from time and some clinical precision in attack against one of the league's leading lights.

Young back row Tommy Parkinson continued his impressive form while Scott O'Brien and Jonny Youds were outstanding.

Lane were largely frustrated but had big games from Craig Jeffels, Adam Garlick and Chris Siddons.

Defences were on top in the early stages before Miners made the breakthrough, Sean MacDonald finishing off a fine passing move involving Youds, Parkinson and Darryl Kay, Youds goaling.

The Miners fullback then added a six-pointer, soaring to pluck O'Brien's bomb out of the hands of opposite number Mikey Hayward and diving over the whitewash.

O'Brien added a drop goal on the half time whistle to give Miners a 13-0 lead.

The next try always appeared the decisive one and Miners secured it when Jimmy Muir sliced through from 10 metres out.

Halfback partner O'Brien then added the gloss as he dummied through a mesmerised defence to touch down for a six-pointer.

The sterling defence appeared set to earn a clean sheet until the closing stages when Garlick stormed clear from deep inside his own half and offloaded to put Chris Tudor between the posts for a try converted by Danny Rowse, but it couldn't detract from a marvellous Miners effort.

Meanwhile the Alliance team reached their first final for many a year with a comprehensive 30-12 win over a strong Wigan St Patricks.

Playing as a curtain-raiser to the first team game, and in much the worst of the day's weather conditions, Miners battled hard against the only team to have beaten them in the league so far this season.

Tries came from Joe Harrison, two, Adam Teece, Gareth Paine, Jimmy Wilkinson (also man of the match) and Matthew Rozman.

THE women's team and under 18s both had cause for celebration following the latest representative team selections, with Rachel Thompson and Mairead Quinn called up for the England students and Clare Thompson for the GB teachers squad.

For the under 18s Mark Nicholson and Alex McPolin were selected for the England Commonwealth squad to compete in Clyde at the end of the month.

Leigh Miners u12 28 Latchford Albion 12

LEIGH scored five second-half tries in a thoroughly entertaining game.