Saddleworth Rangers 12

Leigh Miners Rangers 26 LEIGH Miners Rangers overcame swirling mist, driving rain and a 12-0 deficit to win at Greenfields for the first time since 1996.

Inspired by centre Mark Hudspith who scored two tries and five goals, the Miners put together back-to-back wins for the first time in over a year.

The initial quarter belonged to the home team although Leigh's kick and chase game made sense in the conditions.

Props Johnny Light and Danny Flannery worked hard while Tommy Goulding and Rob Maddison defended well but Saddleworth constructed two tries from gifted positions with ex-Leigh hooker Gary Ainsworth playing a key role.

Leigh half-backs Alan Coleman and Paul Redford plugged away and stayed calm, Redford firing out a long pass to Hudspith who crashed over at the corner. The centre added a towering touchline conversion.

With Coleman becoming a more dominant figure, the Miners went close several times through Sean Phoenix, Goulding, Flannery and Aussie winger Grant Parker but at the break they still trailed 12-6. Coach Warren Ayres wanted cool control and assistant Mark Meadows wanted sustained tempo. They got both as Redford's bomb caused problems for the Saddleworth defence and sub Lee Lomax helped send Goulding in for a try that Hudspith converted. Having got the tactic to work once, the Miners came up trumps again soon afterwards. The Saddleworth full-back spilled Chris Flynn's bomb and Hudspith pounced for his second try and added the goal for an 18-12 lead.

Sub Sean Frawley, full-back Matt Irwin and centre Mark Sarsfield all made good impressions as conditions deteriorated.

The try of the match, and the clincher, came when Flynn, Goulding and Lomax combined to get Parker in the clear. The Aussie skimmed across the mud and went under the posts for a 24-12 lead.

Hudspith had the last word when he put over a late penalty to send Leigh home in good spirits.

Tomorrow Leigh are at home to Ideal Isberg, kick off 2.30pm.