Leigh Miners Rangers 27

Wigan St Patrick's 14 MINERS Rangers moved to the top of the National Conference Premier Division when a solid, all-round performance accounted for derby rivals St Pat's in a Friday night floodlit cracker at Twist Lane.

In front of a crowd of over 500, Miners built a solid first half platform of 19-6 before a tense second half saw Pat's threaten a comeback.

Ultimately, Miners' sound defence, led by Aussie Craig Wilson and the returning Tommy Goulding, and some inspirational bursts from the Marks Sarsfield and Hudspith, and veteran Mick Warburton, proved enough.

Miners started like an express train, blasting into a twelve-point lead in as many minutes. The first was a belter, Redford setting up Hudspith 30 metres out and the centre cut his way through three defenders to score a try converted by Steve Flannery.

Moments later Warburton's grubber sliced the Pat's defence apart and Paul Redford dived in to score under the posts. Pat's rallied when Fletcher stretched through to score under the posts and Winrow converted.

But the Miners eased clear again when full-back Matt Irwin joined the line and Warburton was in support to crash over, Flannery adding the conversion. Warburton completed the first half scoring with a calm field goal for a 19-6 lead.

Pat's came out far more determined in the second half. Boylan stormed through some poor tackling to score and Flannery added a penalty they moved to within seven points when Chris Holland powered in on the overlap.

That score looked to have set up a tense final 20 minutes but not long afterwards Miners killed the game when Sarsfield broke from 40 yards out, sub Richard Varkulis carried it on and went over for a 25-14 lead.

The scoring was completed with 15 minutes to go when Hudspith landed a penalty.

With the Miners three scores clear it was all over bar the shouting, although some sterling defence was needed, especially when Warburton completed an eventful night by being sin-binned.

Next up is a tough trip to high-fliers Oulton on Saturday.