Thornhill Trojans 23 Leigh Miners 10

LEIGH Miners Rangers are in danger of losing third place in the National Conference table after a shock defeat at Thornhill.

The Miners must now wait and sweat it out to see if they have enough points in the bag or drop to fifth for the play-offs.

Thornhill's victory, materminded by ex-Dewsbury Ram Jason Firth, removed their lingering fears of relegation.

Miners were well below their best but in scrum-half Sean Phoenix and loose-forward Tommy Goulden, they had two quality performers.

Scott Dyson opened Thonhill's account on 11 minutes. Craig Holmes added the extras. A brilliant combination between Danny Howley and Rob Copley saw Howley take the return pass to face in for the second home try. Holmes again goaled.

The Trojans' third try was snapped up by Anthony Broadhead after a Martin Fox kicked had been fumbled. Holmes again goaled and a Dyson field goal gave Thornhill a 19-0 half time lead.

The Miners pulled themselves together in the second half but they fell further behind when Richard Carr claimed the fourth Trojans try.

Eventually the Miners showed signs of class when the ball was whipped across field for winger Craig Graham to score. With eight minutes left Alan Redicliffe put Goulden over for a try goaled by Simon Hartley.