LEIGH Miners Rangers have learned their NCL Premier Division league schedule for 2017 following the publication of the National Conference programme last week.

Under new coach Jason Seddon Miners will open their season with a home tie against Cumbrian giants Kells on 4 March before their first away game a week later with a local derby against Division One champions Thatto Heath.

A home tie against another newly-promoted side Myton is followed by another derby at Pilkingtons in the first month of the season. Among the other games to look out for are the two matches against defending champions Siddal (away on 1 April, home on 22 July) and the Battles of the Borough against Wigan St Patricks with the Clarington Park encounter on 13 May and the Twist Lane rematch being the final game of the league season on 16 September.

Challenge Cup and Conference Trophy draws are to be announced, with the Challenge Cup tie being the first competitive match for the first team, on the final weekend of January.

The fixtures for the Alliance, women’s and under-18s teams are to be confirmed although it will be the youth team who officially open the 2017 season when they enter the National Cup in mid-January.

In addition to the new coaching staff Miners will be under new captaincy in 2017 as two long-serving stalwarts and international stars take the helm on the pitch with Darryl Kay as captain and Jonny Youds is named vice captain.