23 Jul 2023

NCL Preview | Saturday 22 July

Leigh Miners Rangers boosted their Impact Performance National Conference Premier Division survival hopes in claiming their first win in four attempts in recent seasons against play-off chasing York Acorn.

In a game dominated by defence at Twist Lane, Miners got over for three tries and kept their opponents scoreless.

A damp afternoon started with both sides trading territory but it was Leigh Miners Rangers that struck in the tenth minute when a pinpoint kick from versatile Harvey Gotts, who has played loose forward, second row, and halfback this season, was touched down on the right by Noah Lancelot after a scramble into the corner.

York Acorn then saw winger Luke Swales held up over the line in the 22nd minute while Dec Flannery was somehow hauled down before the line at the opposite end.

Acorn had their moments with an effervescent showing from hooker Alfie Crawford lifting them, but with injuries taking a heavy toll, their backline reshuffles gradually left their attack blunt in the face of Miners' committed tackling.

Towards the end of the first half, Jack Hamer kicked an excellent 40/20 but the York side held firm.

Miners were particularly solid defensively with Harry Darby, Matt Parkes, Joe Conner, Dean Balmer, and Hamer all impressing, and had to wait until just after half-time for their second try - an individual effort from thirty metres by Marco Williamson, who glided through the first line of defence before finishing between two would-be tacklers on the left. As with his first attempt, Gotts was wide with the conversion and it was 8-0.

York Acorn responded with some more sprightly ruck play from Crawford on the back of strong Nathan Welsh carries and Davey Burns was hauled down close in the 50th minute.

Then with 15 minutes remaining Acorn thought they had opened their account when Toby Woodall grounded between the posts, but the effort was disallowed and in the remonstrations that followed, a visiting spectator was sent off by referee Adam Williams.

Halfback Nathan Hamerton tried to inspire the visitors and they again went close through George Hunt but came up with nothing. As the sides tired, mistakes mounted up, however, Leigh Miners had the final say in the 77th minute when Craig Ashall kicked wide and wing Tom Burnett rose highest to claim and touch down to secure the 12-0 win.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division West Hull gained a 20-4 win over leaders Hunslet ARLFC thanks to tries from Kieran Masike, Ethan Shore and Jacob Moore, and four goals from Ryan Wilson which canceled out a late consolation effort from Tyler Dargan. Wests are two points behind in third with West Bowling also able to take advantage to go within one point of the top of the table thanks to a 48-10 home success over Thatto Heath Crusaders. Ellison Holgate scored a hat-trick for Brow with Jake Moore contributing twenty points to their tally with two tries and six goals.

Lock Lane and Kells fought out a thriller with Lane edging it 14-12, while Siddal also continued their recent upturn in form with a 34-0 win at Hull Dockers.

In Division One Egremont Rangers and Heworth, both strengthened their claims for the second promotion spot with 40-18 and 50-0 victories respectively over Ince Rose Bridge and Thornhill Trojans.

Will Sturdy claimed a hat-trick for Heworth with two tries each for Adam Dent and Liam Richmond. Fraser McNee and Mitchell Edwards both scored two tries each for Egremont.

Leaders West Bowling had Lewis Taylor and Logan Simpson to thank in their 44-16 win at Crosfields. Both scored a brace of tries as Bowling doubled their half-time advantage.

Elsewhere Skirlaugh beat relegation-threatened Pilkington Recs 24-6 and Stanningley got a 24-0 win over Oulton Raiders.

Waterhead Warriors continued their winning streak at the top of Division Two with a 28-6 defeat of Woolston Rovers, just keeping ahead of Dewsbury Moor Maroons who won their derby at Dewsbury Celtic 28-12. Shaw Cross Sharks toiled away but found Barrow Island in good form and the visitors claimed an important 19-12 win while Milford took the scalp of Wigan St Judes, Normanton Knights continued their recovery at Myton Warriors and Saddleworth Rangers fought out a narrow home win over East Leeds.

Millom had the big story of the week in Division Three. Hot on the heels of recruiting Hosea Saumaki from Leicester Tigers, who made a try-scoring debut a couple of weeks ago, he has now been joined in Cumbria by his uncle - Fuifui Moimoi. The evergreen forward enjoyed a stellar NRL career with Parramatta Eels and later had spells at Leigh, Toronto, Workington Town and Rochdale Hornets, also played on the test arena with New Zealand and Tonga. He was amongst the substitutes as Millom held off Leigh East to win 18-16.

Jackson Evans, Kyle Evans, and Rio McQuistan scored tries for the hosts with the goal-kicking of Lee Postlethwaite proving crucial. He kicked three goals while Adam Holland could only add two. East had tries from Ben Wharton, Andrew Ball and Adam Wilkes with the Cumbrians just holding on for victory.

Four tries from Callum Cashin helped leaders Oldham St Annes get over the top of Eastmoor Dragons, however, Ellenborough Rangers are separated by points difference alone now following their 42-6 win at Beverley. Two tries from Zac Olstrum took him to 21 for the season.

Bentley enjoyed a narrow win at Seaton while Drighlington collected the points against Hensingham to keep pressure on Beverley and Bentley above them in the play-off positions.

Results - Saturday 22nd July

Premier Division