Leigh Miners Rangers snapped a six game losing sequence with a strong second half at Twist Lane to beat Stanningley in Round Nine of the NCRL Division One.
Stanningley struck inside the opening couple of minutes after Miners Rangers fluffed the kick?off, gifting the visitors immediate field position. From there the Yorkshire side made the most of their early momentum, Sam Peel driving over from close range and Zack Clayton knocking over the simple conversion. With the bigger Stanningley pack rolling forward, Miners were forced to absorb pressure, and when halfback Luke Townend squared up the line and released Clayton in space, it looked certain the lead would grow. Only a fumble as he reached for the line spared the hosts. Four minutes later the visitors threatened again, Will Barker, Fraser Stroud and Connor Aveyard combining neatly down the left before Logan Temple lost the final pass in the slippery conditions.
A heavy collision in the 26th minute forced Jack Vincent from the field with a suspected concussion. It was from this moment that the game began to tilt. Miners won a couple of key contacts, lifted their defensive attitude, and began meeting Stanningley with far more intent, slowly dragging themselves into the contest. Harry Darby went closest to breaking the deadlock during a scrappy spell of tough tackles and repeated errors, but the real shift came through the steadying influence and kicking game of halfback Marco Williamson. Jack Hamer grafted relentlessly through the middle, while Matt Parkes, Ralph Wood and Matt Galvin punched holes with their carries. Darby and Andy Philbin added real energy from the bench, and although Miners finished the half on top, they still trailed 0–6 at the break.
The second half, however, belonged entirely to the home side. Miners came out with purpose and were level within three minutes when Williamson, running on the last, dabbed a low kick through and backed his pace over 45 metres to score a superb solo try. Halfback partner Isaac Hewitt converted, and Leigh Miners flooded forward again two minutes later with only a late touch by Aveyard knocking the ball down when Williamson put Aaron Balmer down the right and the centre tried to find Brad Lewis. A great surge by Galvin after 46 minutes paved the way for Williamson's second try and although Hewitt couldn't goal it was then his turn to step through the defence after 49 minutes for a score of his own. Both Miners halves looked particularly dangerous as they took the game to Stanningley.
The contest tightened again for a spell, but Miners were the side with control, and Williamson completed his hat?trick with another sharp finish, Hewitt adding his third goal. By now the stand?off was in red?hot form, and when he danced into space once more, fullback Joe Davies appeared on his inside shoulder to scorch away and finish a brilliant 65?metre movement. Hewitt’s fourth goal pushed the lead out of sight.
Stanningley did rally late on, helped by the prompting of substitute Jayden Wright, the industry of Stroud, and some determined carries from Geoff Graves. They finally cracked Miners’ defence two minutes from time when prop Elliot Whitaker powered over and Clayton added his second goal, but the scoreline was long settled, providing a much needed win for Leigh Miners Rangers
LEIGH MINERS RANGERS 28
STANNINGLEY 12
By Dave Parkinson
Pics: 13 Pro Am Community RL
