Leigh Miners take on Wigan St Judes on Friday night in Round 5 of the NCL interim season, Kick off 7-30pm at Twist Lane. Both teams go into the game on the back of local derby defeats, Miners going down 18-10 at Leigh East last weekend with Judes losing 26-14 away at St Pats. Miners know they will need to keep hold of the ball alot better on Friday if they are to end a run of three successive defeats and avoid falling further behind the other four teams in a tough Group A.



Leigh Miners A team return to action on Saturday afternoon after having a free week last weekend, they take on Eccles at Twist Lane, Kick Off 2-30pm.

Leigh Miners 28 v 12 Wigan St Judes



Leigh Miners returned to winning ways last night with a 28-12 victory at home to Wigan St Judes in a game which saw plenty of errors throughout. Miners never looked like losing the game and always looked the most likely team to score but with another low completion rate Miners made it hard work for themselves when really they should have been out of sight with the amount of chances they had. Leon Brennan opened the scoring for the home side, stepping through the Judes defence to score at the side of the posts, Tom Bradbury converting to give the score 6-0. From the try Miners had plenty of chances to increase their lead but with poor options and bad handling they were unable to convert their chances into points allowing St Judes to keep themselves in the game. The visitors drew level after a rare error from Full back Kieran Dainty from a kick return allowing them to walk in under the sticks to tie the game up at 6-6. Miners were back in front a few minutes later when Ryan Smith went over, Bradbury landing the conversion to restore a six point cushion and give Miners a 12-6 half time lead.



The second half was similar to the first has far as field position went with Miners having the better of the chances and possession but were unable to increase their lead until the hour mark after to many loose passes going to ground allowing Judes to stay in the contest with only a six point deficit with a quarter of the game remaining. The home sides third try was quickly followed by a fourth try to put the game to bed, Tom Bradbury going over first in the left corner, quickly followed by Leon Brennan dropping his shoulder to go in for his second try of the match, Bradbury converting the try to give Miners a 22-6 advantage. Ryan Smith grabbed a brace in the final ten minutes thanks to a break from Ste Kenny, Who broke through the visitors defence from inside his own half to feed Smith with a pass to score under the posts, Bradbury landing his fourth conversion of the evening to give the score 28-6. With the game gone St Judes refused to go away and were rewarded for their efforts with a second try in the final few minutes after a fight in back play which saw Judes winger and Miners centre Martin Lewis sent off for running in.



Miners are away next week to Egremont Rangers.



MINERS TEAM = Dainty, Monaghan, Lewis, Bradbury, Skinkis, Brennan, Smith, Ratcliffe, Gorton, Kay, Thomason, Jackson, Jones, SUBS = Farrimond, Thomas, Kenny, Howells



MOM = Ryan Smith