Thornhill Trojans 22

Leigh Miners Rangers 8 A BLISTERING opening, in which the Trojans crossed for three tries, put the skids under Miners Rangers.

They never recovered from a slack defensive start and need to quickly get back on track when they meet Woolston Rovers at Twist Lane tomorrow.

Yet it was the Miners who had the best early chances to score. Chris Lee's pass was ruled forward and hooker Ian Hudspith lost the ball over the Trojans' line.

Jimmy Gittins put the home side ahead with a fifth minute try and soon afterwards man of the match Martin Fox stepped clean through before Rob Simpson added Thornhill's third unconverted try.

Steady play from half backs Sean Phoenix and Lee got the Miners pack moving forward, Tommy Goulding pierced the defence and Lee and Hudspith made room for winger Matt Irwin to sprint 50 metres for a try.

But the Trojans were 16-4 clear at half time with a fourth try by Steve Barwick.

Miners Rangers attacked strongly in an effort to pull the game back. Johnny Light and Sean Frawley were impressive and winger Steve Cawley worried the opposition.

When Rob Hoyle added another Trojans try in the 48th minute and Fox added the conversion, the Miners had a real mountain to climb.

The Twist Lane side hammered away at the Trojans defence but had little to show for their efforts. The only consolation came when Lee's grubber kick stood up invitingly for Mark Sarsfield to score.

Young forward Rob Madison and back Steve Clark both showed up well when they were introduced.