A HAT-TRICK of tries from full-back Darren Pilkington helped set Leigh Miners Rangers on their way top a crushing victory in the battle between the second and third placed sides in the National Conference.

The Trojans arrived under strength but they found a Miners side in sparkling form to make light of the atrocious playing conditions with a whirlwind brand of rugby that pretty much had the game sewn up by half time.

With half backs Sean Phoenix and Tony Doyle rattling along behind a powerful pack, in which Anthony Murray used his experience well, the Leigh side blasted into the Trojans from the first whistle and never let go of their stranglehold.

Simon Warhurst made light of playing with a broken hand to back up Phoenix for the first try after just five minutes, and with Dave Radley back from a broken thumb that had sidelined him for three months, to add the first goal, the Miners had the start they wanted.

Ten minutes later Phoenix's deft kick behind the defensive line was pounced on by Doyle and again Radley was on the mark with his goal shot.

The try of the game came on 22 minutes when Dave Balmer and Dave Patterson blasted through the opposition defence and great hands saw Pilkington go in for the first of his hat-trick. Again Radley goaled.

It was effectively all over on the 28 minutes when Pilkington linked for his second try. Five minutes from the break Aussie Trent Head completed the Miners five-try first half tally and with Radley off injured, Alan Reddicliffe kicked the goal for a 30-0 lead.

At the start of the second half Thornhill took some reward for a battling show when Rob Copley put the lively Luke Haigh in for a try that Wayne Loney goaled.

But within five minutes Pilkington completed his hat-trick when he won the chase to Phoenix's long kick downfield. Shaun Daley claimed the Miners seventh touchdown before Haigh put Copley in for a second Trojans try.

The final word was with the Miners as quick hands saw prop Andy Forber crash through to complete a super start to 2005.