AFTER a successful league season, Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies have progress to the play-offs semi finals.

A comeback victory against Oulton, a team they narrowly beat in the league a few weeks ago, leaves them one step from the final.

Preparation for the Oulton match was far from ideal, with a couple of late withdrawals, three players who had competed in the ‘tough mudder’ the day before and an injury in the warm up.

Despite this Miners started strongly, with the forwards setting up a good platform which allowed the backs to set up a good handling move which resulted in Emily Mullen scoring out wide.

Oulton responded well, with their large forward pack starting to take control of the game, with good attacking play, some excellent kicking and solid defence which enabled them to control the possession and by half time they had built a lead of 16-4.

Miners regrouped at half time, and set the second half goals of controlling possession and playing the game in the opposition territory.

With good attacking plays and outstanding defence, the pressure eventually started to tell.

Clare Thompson scored the first try of the half when the Oulton dummy half dropped the ball while trying to clear the line. Clare reacted quickest, gathering the ball and touching down.

Emily Mullen added the conversion from out wide to make the score 10-16.

The momentum was now shifting in Miners’ direction. They continued to press in attack, forcing Oulton to start every set of possession from deep in their own territory, and the excellent defence meant Oulton’s only escape was through kicking from deep in their half.

With the clock ticking down the defensive resistance was finally broken when following good pressure on the left side, the ball was passed through several pairs of hands, allowing Mairead Quinn to touch down on the right side. The conversion was missed leaving Miners trailing by two points.

From the kick-off Miners immediately set up another attacking platform, and another sweeping move from left to right saw Nicola Gater crash over the line to give Miners an 18-16 lead.

The team safely saw out the last few minutes to complete an excellent second half comeback.

After the match coach Phil Irish praised the team for an outstanding effort, giving particular mention to the forward pack, who worked tirelessly with limited substitutions against a much bigger pack.

Miners now have a week off before the semi final, in which they will play the losers ofthe game between Stanningley and St Pats.