LEIGH Miners Rangers produced a battling display but a late effort by Pilkington Recs closed out the game 30-20 in this derby at the weekend.

In warm spring weather Miners were aiming to build on their opening win of the season against Myton on the 3G surface against their old foes Pilks and in a see-saw game they appeared set to pick up victory as they led going into the final quarter only for a strong finish by the St Helens club to turn the game on its head.

In a valiant effort Miners had stand-out performers in Darryl Kay and the tireless Chris Bower, both props doing the full 80 minutes in broiling conditions, and with Jack Reynolds, Tom Maloney and Josh Ward lively there could have been few complaints had they taken the points but some slick play by Pilks eventually earned them the victory.

Miners’ tries came from Maloney, slickly finishing off from Reynolds’ approach play, and then second half scores as Frankie Halton crashed over after a great surge by Connor Ratcliffe and Darryl Kay popping up in support after Jonny Youds had danced up what appeared a blind alley before finding the Miners’ captain in support.

That try had given Miners the lead however Pilks finished strongly to snatch victory.

It was a tough afternoon for the women and under-18s who faced challenging assignments.

The women’s team were beaten 56-0 by an excellent Castleford Tigers outfit whilst the under-18s went down 34-14 to Thatto Heath.

The women’s team are also pleased to announce the appointment of Gareth Paine as head coach.

Paine succeeds Cliff Tamou who stepped down at the end of the hugely successful 2016 season and with the enthusiastic support of Mina Patel and Steve Quinn and a talented young team, as well as the continued emergence of the girls section, it is an exciting time for the ladies section.

This weekend both men’s open age teams are on their travels as the first team face champions Siddal and the Alliance have the long journey to Hindpool.