Leigh Miners Rangers 34 Siddal 6: A COMMANDING performance kept Leigh Miners Rangers on the Challenge Cup glory trail, demolishing Arriva Conference Champions and current league leaders Siddal to move into round three and the entry of the professional teams.
It was the Leigh outfit's eighth win on the bounce and though Siddal are a form team themselves, they never looked like taking this one away from the irresistible Miners.
The Miners overall didn't fair to well on the penalty count, but that said backrower Dave Radley put the home side in front on five minutes with a well struck goal against a strong wind.
Centre Chris Humphries had to turn to retrieve a poor pass, but he made just enough space to scoot in by the corner flag for 6-0.
On 28 minutes Siddal converted a penalty which served to fire the Miners. Props Mark Shepherd and Jon Light impressively led the pack, and a revised half back combination of Phoenix and McCarthy produced some enterprising play. The result was a well worked try to sub forward Trent Head, just off the plane from Sydney, for a 10-2 half time lead.
Corner flag
After the restart, the Miners blasted the play into the visitors half. Hooker Lee Lomax and centre Alan Reddicliffe made an opening and winger Neil Donlan somehow found a way between his marker and the touchline to dive in by the corner flag.
Immediately Siddal showed their capabilities. Player-coach Mick Shaw was always a danger and along with Jason Blackburn they created a try for Shaun Blackburn.
The Twist Lane men had a great answer. Second row Dave Patterson handed off tacklers to power 50 metres from the base of the scrum and went under the posts. Radley added the goal.
The Miners were hungry for more. Full-back Darren Pilkington burst through, chipped over the last man, collected cleanly and went in for another score, Radley converting.
Siddal were completely demoralised when Donlan picked off a pass and raced 60 metres to the posts for a try again converted by Radley. Radley wrapped things up with a 75th minute penalty.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article