LEIGH Miners Rangers launched themselves back into the top six after a 30-10 victory against East Leeds.

As congestion at the top of the NCL Premier League shows no sign of easing, this convincing but hard-fought win over high-fliers Leeds was even better.

In a largely stop-start and error-strewn opening to the game, Miners made the breakthrough when a Scott O’Brien kick was spilled in the tackle by Ash Stephenson but Darryl Kay followed up to score a simple try and Shaun Dowie added the extras.

Miners extended the lead when Tommy Partington powered in at the corner, and on the half hour the home side appeared in full control as Mick O’Boyle scored out wide from a Miners penalty.

But Easts had the final say in the half when Jack Ely stretched over to dot the ball over his head beside the posts, Conroy with the extras to give themselves hope.

Ely crossed again as East Leeds continued their fightback and narrowed the gap to two points.

Miners were on the ropes but on the hour the home side re-established a cushion as Brad Hargreaves wrestled in at the corner flag and Dowie with the fine conversion.

With 10 minutes left, Miners secured victory with O’Boyle going in for his second, then another drive to the line set the position for Tom Farrimond to dive over from acting half to confirm the win.

The Alliance and women’s teams saw their games postponed when opponents Mayfield and St Pats respectively couldn’t raise a team. The under-18s lost a high-scoring thriller to Mayfield.

This Saturday the first team travel to Mayfield whilst the Alliance are away to Accrington.

n LEIGH Rugby League Past Players Association sponsored the Miners game against East Leeds.

Treasurer Maurice Bailey made the presentation to Miners official Lee Walls.

Others attended representing the past players were: Gordon Lewis, Stan Owen, Joe Hosking, John Prince and Bob Pugsley were guests.