Dave Rowland reflects on Leigh Miners’ win over Wigan St Pats

Leigh Miners boss Dave Rowland didn’t hide what mattered after their derby win over Wigan St Pats. “A win,” he said plainly. “That’s the most important thing, especially against them men, because like you say, it is a local derby.”

 

Rowland knows exactly what Pats can be when they’re on. “They can be one of them teams that just turn up,” he said. At the centre of that threat is Community International player Conor Taylor. “If Conor Taylor turns up, he can win a game on his own,” Rowland admitted. When Taylor left the field with an ankle issue, Rowland’s reaction was honest: “I thought, don’t be injured… but don’t go back on. Do you get what I mean? He’s that influential.”

 

Despite the tension of the derby, Rowland felt Miners controlled large parts of the game. “Everything they got came on back of our errors,” he said. “We gifted them, they’ve still got to take them, but we gifted them the tries.” He wasn’t disrespecting Pats; he pointed out their strong start to the year. “Beginning of the year, they were four from four at top of the league. When they’re on, they’re as tough as anyone playing in this league.”

 

What pleased him most was the pack. “Massive,” he said. “We have turned a little bit of a corner these last six or seven games. We’ve got bodies back.” Earlier in the season, Miners were scraping squads together. “You go into places like East Leeds with fifteen men and you can’t do it. You can’t do it.” Now, he finally has depth. “I’ve had seventeen first?team lads playing rather than lads from other teams helping out. You need seventeen first?team lads.”

 

That depth gives him options — including using Andy Philbin as an impact forward. “I’ve got that luxury of putting Philby on that bench and bringing him on as an impact player rather than having to start him.”

 

There were positives across the board. Matty McGeown returned after a long layoff. And then there’s Jordan Boylan, affectionately dubbed “Jordan the Viking.” Rowland smiled when talking about him. “That’s only his second game of rugby league. He’s athletic and strong. I said keep at it because I think you can get a shot. He’s effective, isn’t he? He’s only going to get better.”

 

There are still makeshift roles. Jack Hamer, usually a nine, has been filling in at halfback. “He doesn’t look out of place,” Rowland said. Last week he partnered Harry Darby, who even took on the goal?kicking. With Marco Williamson away, Hamer asked who’d drawn the short straw for the halves. “I said, you’re playing at halfback,” Rowland laughed.

 

Alongside him, young Isaac Hewitt continues to impress. “He’s just learning and learning, isn’t he? He’s getting better and better at this level. He’s got some levels to go in. I think he’ll be a great, great player. He just glides, doesn’t he?”

 

Rowland connected Hewitt’s potential to the club’s history. “This is a club that has produced dominant half?backs over the years. Such as Scott O’Brien — he was just a generational player. Best amateur player I’ve ever seen.” He mentioned Martyn Ridyard too, who went on to enjoy a long professional career with his hometown club before spells with Huddersfield, Featherstone, Oldham and Rochdale, another proud product of the Miners system. “If Ike gets anywhere near them two, he’ll be unbelievable.”

 

Then there was Noah Lancelott, who wriggled over for a late score despite carrying knocks. “He’s been playing busted for us last few weeks,” Rowland said. “I reckon he’s been sixty percent-ish. He’s had a tight hamstring, calves niggling, uni exams… he’s had a lot going on.” But even at sixty percent, Lancelott remains a threat. “He’s one of those players you want to come and watch because you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

 

For Rowland, the derby win wasn’t just two points — it was a sign of progress. Bodies back, and a sense that Miners are moving towards the play-offs.

 

Oulton Raiders vs Leigh Miners Rangers 14:30  

Venue: Oulton Raiders

 

Shaw Cross Sharks vs Dewsbury Moor Maroons 14:30  

Venue: Shaw Cross Sharks

 

Myton Warriors vs Drighlington 14:30  

Venue: Myton Warriors

 

Stanley Rangers vs Beverley 14:30  

Venue: Stanley Rangers

 

Maryport vs Ulverston 14:30  

Venue: Maryport

 

Hensingham vs Dalton 14:30  

Venue: Hensingham

 

Ince Rose Bridge vs Rochdale Mayfield 14:30  

Venue: Ince Rose Bridge

 

Hull Dockers vs Crosfields 14:30  

Venue: Hull Dockers

 

Barrow Island vs Orrell St James 14:30  

Venue: Barrow Island

 

Woolston Rovers vs Thornhill Trojans 14:30  

Venue: Woolston Rovers

 

Bristol All Golds vs Blackbrook 12:45