AT 21-2 down, Leigh Miners were in deep. That they hit back to give West Hull an almighty scare was to their credit - but, ohhh! that miserable start.

Form said that the Humbersiders would be a tough nut to crack, and quickly they had Miners on the rack, punishing early mistakes to forge clear. Prop Mick Keegan, in his first run-out in the Premier Division, looked a class act, Andrew Webster proved a valuable foil, new partnership Matt Disley and Matt Irwin offered potential in the threequarters, scrum-half Mike Devine had a gem of a match, packmen Steve Jackson and Nigel Casey never shirked a tackle.

But a Winston Sarsfield was their only reward as West Hull got a firm grip.

Sean Hodgkiss was unlucky to tackled over the line, adjudged to be on his back, as West Hull swept into that big lead.

Then, with 20 minutes left, Miners gritted their teeth and battled back. Hooker Ian Sanderson began the revival, diving over from a play-the-ball for a fine try, improved by Sarsfield.

Suddenly, Miners had silenced the highly-partisan home crowd.

Irwin and Peter Sharp showed enterprise, Jackson crashed into tacklers with gusto and Devine slipped the ball out quickly Sarsfield to plunge in. He added the goal - and suddenly a shock comeback was on the cards.

Hodgkiss went desperately close before Keegan crashed in. Sarsfield goal for 21-20 - but, to the home side's intense relief, the final whistle sounded.

On Saturday (2.30pm) Len Casey's Beverley are at Twist Lane, Miners needing to turn a series of nervous, narrow defeats.

Miners A beat Woolston 18-11, an unbeaten run continuing with Trigger Coleman captain on his 21st birthday. Top players of the day, however, were prop Simon Wood and back rower Shane Hindley.

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