TWO OF THE MOST WELL KNOWN AMETEUR RUGBY LEAGUE TEAMS GOING HEAD TO HEAD IN THE 1ST ROUND,PATS STARTING TO HIT FORM LATE ON IN THE SEASON,SHOULD BE A CRACKER GOOD LUCK MINERS

East lost 16 - 18, Middlehurst dismissed which didn't help the East cause especially as IMO a Thatto player should have been sent off in a challenge on Kilshaw which resulted in him taking no further part of the game

Thats such a shame, would have loved to see both East and Miners in the next round.

u18s are OFF, Queensbury unable to raise a team so miners get a bye into round three against Milford Marlins at home.

u13s also OFF at Rochdale Mayfield (Waterlogged Pitch)

U14s still ON

Wigan St Pats 16 v 18 Leigh Miners

Leigh Miners made it through to the third round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup after an hard fought 18-16 derby victory against Wigan St Pats in what was a cracking cup tie from start to finish played in what can only be described as a mud bath. Miners come out firing from the kick off with some strong defence forcing St Pats into an early error, Miners being rewarded a penalty from the knock on which allowed Tom Bradbury to open the scoring with a penalty goal to give the score 2-0 for the visitors. That lead was doubled soon after with another Bradbury penalty goal to put miners 4-0 in front. As both teams battled it out in the mud with strong committed defence both teams had chances, Miners knocking on over the line and pats coming close on a couple of occasions the score line stayed at 4-0 until the final ten minutes of the half when St Pats drew level, a nicely weighted grubber behind the Miners defence was picked up by there centre to score in the left corner to give the score 4-4. From the kick off Pats spilled the ball and from the next set Miners were back in front with a third Bradbury penalty goal to give them a two point advantage at half time with the score at 6-4.

Miners took control of the tie during the third quarter with some more strong defence forcing Pats into an error on the half way line, Ross Bradley picking up the loose pal to race away to score at the side of the sticks, Bradbury converting to put Miners 12-4 in front. From the try the visitors continued to put pressure on the home side and they was further in front when Scott O’Brien went over, Bradbury once again converting to give Miners a 18-4 advantage. As the game went on Pats refused to lie down and they were back in with a shout when they scored there second try from a high bomb, Pats reacting quickest to score under the post, the kick converted to give the score 18-10. With Miners going through a sticky patch giving two many penalties away the home side were rewarded with easy field position and they took full advantage when there hooker darted over from dummy half to score under the posts, the kick again converted to put St Pats within two points at 18-16 and set up a tense final ten minutes. Miners had to dig deep in the final minutes, but they kept Pats out to win 18-16 and put them into Tuesday’s third round draw and hopefully a good draw against professional opposition .

Next week Miners are at home to East Hull in the League.

Leigh Miners 2nd team lost narrowly 10-8 away at Golborne Parkside

u14s 18 v 16 Dewsbury Celtic

This was an all-action cup tie straight from the whistle. Both defences standing toe-to-toe as Miners ground out this win. Celtic were first on the scoresheet when they ripped the ball out in a one-on-one tackle to go over out wide. During the next set of six, Celtic knocked on and Miners took advantage with strong work by the forwards resulting in McLaughlin stretching out to put the ball on the line, carrying three celtic defenders over with him. Ashurst converting to make the score 6-4. Celtic threw everything at Miners but the valiant Miners held strong. Again Miners stormed back with a terrific try out wide after Ashurst broke through off-loaded to Prescott who in turn flipped a clever pass to King who then dove in at the corner. Score 10-4 at half time. Into the second half Miners continued to pressure the Celtic defence with Wardle showing his pace to slide in at the corner making the score 14-4. Miners stretched their lead again when Turton put an inch-perfect kick to the corner which bounced back into King's arms who then slipped out a pass to Prescott who went 20mtrs to score outwide. Score 18-4 with 5 mins remaining. Miners seemed well in control of this match but Celtic begged to differ. Strong running from them and woeful tackling from the Leigh side saw them bag two tries in the last couple of minutes which they converted making the final score 18-16. A great game to watch and credit must go to the 12man Celtic who battled back when all seemed lost. This was the toughest match Miners have played all season but the Amber and Golds roll on into round 3. MOM chosen by the opposition was Chris Worrall for his fantastic, powerful go-forward. Well done fellas.

The u14s now play Shevington Sharks away in round three in two weeks time