LEIGH Miners Rangers aim to secure an immediate return to the National Conference Premier Division this Saturday as they prepare to face Milford Marlins in the Division One Play-Off final at Featherstone Rovers’ Post Office Road ground.

It has been a tortuous end to the season for Miners but after seeing automatic promotion slip from their hands the team regrouped in sterling fashion to see off Featherstone Lions in the semi-final tie and a similar quality of performance will be required to see off a resurgent Milford side.

The Marlins are experienced promotion battlers who have traditionally been there or thereabouts in the promotion battle without quite getting over the line but a strong finish to the season which saw them topple Featherstone in their final league outing and then sensationally stun ten-match-unbeaten Pilkington Recs in their own semi-final tie has certainly caught the eye.

Few of their eight-strong Ukrainian contingent have featured of late but the Leeds outfit have been bolstered by the return of the Wilson brothers Ed and Tom from the Rhinos Academy and with quality campaigners such as Dwaine McRae, Josh Parle and Zak Snellgrove on hand they are a fine side.

Miners’ head coach Dave Rowland has no fresh injury worries and with the likes of Scott O’Brien, Adam Thomason and Craig Ashall on form has the creative quality and finishing power to cause any team problems whilst Josh Ward impressed at full back in the semi-final tie.

It is likely to be a forwards’ battle though for long spells and Darryl Kay, Lee Gittins, Matt Astley and the outstanding Joe Connor will be called upon to lead the charge.

Miners of course have no shortage of big game finals’ day experience – albeit more usually contesting the major silverware – however their last experience of Post Office Road wasn’t a pleasant one as East Hull crushed them in the 2008 Grand Final.

Miners edged both league encounters but with very little to choose between the sides and it promises to be an epic contest.

The match kicks off at 12.05 and the club are running a supporters’ coach priced at £5 and departing Twist Lane at 9.45am.

Places are limited so contact the club to book your spot.

The women’s team embark on their play-off journey on the back of a 50-10 defeat of a gutsy Barrow side on Sunday.