Leigh Miners Rangers 20 Thatto Heath 28

A MUCH improved showing and a battling fightback left Miners falling agonisingly short against title-chasing Thatto and although this defeat and results elsewhere pitched the Twist Lane club bottom of the table they can take much heart from this performance ahead of further tough challenges to come.

After the dismal display against Rose Bridge Miners showed determination from the outset and bossed the opening quarter against their high-flying opponents but without making the breakthrough and they were made to pay when 0-0 at 20 minutes became 0-16 at 30 minutes as Thatto showed slick and high-paced attacking rugby to score three tries, first when Niall Allen squeezed over at the corner flag then when a kick to the opposite wing saw Dave Sutton climb highest to claim the ball and touch down, Bobbie Goulding converting both scores.

When more high-octane handling put Allen in on the overlap for his second Miners were in big trouble but they responded to score right on half time as Tom Maloney put Mick O’Boyle shrugging off the tackles to score out wide.

However Thatto struck first after half time with a trademark prop forward’s try as big Brad Ashurst swatted away the defenders as he rumbled over beneath the posts. 22-4 down and the game surely over but Miners rallied in fine style.

A tremendous break from half way saw Jake Ellis demonstrate his turn of pace to burst past his opposite number and sprint to the line then when Thatto turned possession over on half way Jack Reynolds was quickest to snap the loose ball up and wriggle eel-like out of two attempted tackles to sprint to the line, converting his own try.

Miners had the momentum and with fifteen minutes remaining every chance of completing a remarkable comeback but the killer score came Thatto’s way as another kick to the wing was again claimed by Sutton to dot the ball down for another six pointer.

Reynolds grabbed his second in what was an eye-catching performance as he burrowed over from acting half but despite his efforts and the tireless work of Darryl Kay, Frankie Halton and Martin Gray, Miners fell short.

The Alliance team enjoyed a thrill-a-minute curtain raiser to see off Wigan St Patricks 36-28. Tries from the influential Tony Doyle, Gareth Paine, Adam Smith, Kyle Disley, Todd Appleby and Elliot Liku along with six goals by the impressive Sam Shepherd were enough to clinch a victory over a Pats team that had run up the half century against Miners only a few weeks earlier and leave the promotion play-offs very much on the cards for Miners.

The women’s team though exited the Lancashire Cup with a 50-6 loss at St Patricks.

This weekend all action takes place at Sutton Park, LMR Academy, as the matches form part of the Pit Stop Beer Festival raising money to support the Teenage Cancer Trust.

On Saturday Miners Rangers Masters play Bank Quay Bulls (12.15) followed by the first team league fixture against another high-flying club, West Hull.

On Sunday the women’s team return to league action against Batley, 2pm.