Miners edge 12-man Hornets

Leigh Miners Rangers 32 v 22 Wath Brow Hornets
Match Report by Liam Moore


Leigh Miners produced a professional performance against a tough Cumbrian side to be crowned Conference Challenge Trophy winners at the Select Security Stadium.

Wath Brow started the brightest in this Conference Trophy Final with considerable pressure on the Leigh Miners line.

After a scoreless first 10 minutes it took a great break from Scott Pink to go over underneath the posts to break the deadlock and make it 0-6 to the Hornets.

Miners then started to come back into the game only to be denied by ruthless Wath Brow defence managing to hold up Andrew Groves over the line.

The Miners pressure finally got its reward with Scott O’Brien providing a lovely inside ball to put Andrew Groves over the line to level up the tie 6-6.

With the momentum very much in favour of the minor premiers Jimmy Muirs powered his way over to put Miners infront for the first time which was converted by Jonny Youds to make it 12-6 at half time.

Wath Brow started the second half the most promising which was rewarded with smart play from Callum Farrer going blind side to put Luke Davison in the corner.

Cole Walker Taylor converts to level it up at 12-12.

On the 49th minute the tie erupted when both sides came together resulting in a red card to Wath Brows Lewis McCarron for an apparent head butt. 12 men Wath Brow now faced an uphill task!

Miners extra man was starting to show with Scott O’Brien showing nice foot work to dance his way over to put miners back in front.

Try converted by Jonny Youds 18-12 Miners lead.

Miners extended their lead through an excellent Jonny Youds penalty goal 20-12, Miners beginning to open up the gap.

Miners then increased their lead with Andrew Groves diving over for his second of the game converted once again by Jonny Youds 26-12 Miners lead.

A Miners mistake allowed Wath Brow to pick up a loose ball and put Luke Davison in the corner for his second.

26-16 Miners lead. Game on!

Time was starting to run out for the Hornets and Miners looked to have sealed the game with Scott O’Brien going over for his second with a nice offload by Matt Astley. Miners lead 32-16.

A brave Wath Brow side managed to grab a conciliation try with Mark Watson crashing over in front of the sticks and converted by Fran King 32-22.


MINERS
14 Andrew Groves
2 Brad Hargreaves
3 Jonny Youds
20 Connor Partington
5 Gareth Pain
6 Jimmy Muir
7 Scott O’Brien
8 Chris Bowers
9 Danny Jones
10 Darryl Kay
11 Tom Parkinson
12 Dann Jackson
13 Mick O’Boyle
Subs
1 Shaun Dowie
19 Tom Farrimond
16 Martin Grey
17 Matt Astley

TRIES: Groves (27, 65), Muir (30), O’Brien (55, 74)
GOALS: Youds (5) O’Brien

HORNETS
6 Karl Dixon
2 Rhys Pritchard
11 Adam Ramsden
3 Scott Pink
19 Luke Davison
17 Fran King
7 Dean Rooney
8 Richard Huby
9 Cole Walker-Taylor
10 Matthew Huby
4 Callum Farrer
12 Lewis McCarron
13 Charlie Tomlinson
Subs
14 Mark Wilson
15 Marc Jackson
20 James Dixon
16 Ben Agnew

TRIES: Pink (9), Davison 46, 68), Watson (77)
GOALS: Walker-Taylor (2), King

H/T: 13-6

REFEREE: Billy Pearson

MOM: Andrew Groves (14)