Lets just hope the powers that be appoint officials with a genuine feel for a local derby. To many games at NCL are spoiled by Prima Donna refs.

East and Miners will if allowed put on a top game for what will be a fiercly contested derby ,will Mr Chairman finally get the monkey off his back or will Winston back up his X Factor win with another red and black scalp ?

Leigh Miners 12 v 22 Leigh East

Leigh Miners seven year unbeaten record against local rivals Leigh East was ended last night as the red and blacks ground out a 22-12 victory at a packed Twist Lane. Miners opened the game the stronger with a good spell of pressure but with East defending strongly they kept the home side out, The visitors responded with a good spell of pressure of their own but come to nothing after more strong defence. Miners opened the scoring after about fifteen minutes when Scott O'Brien darted over, Tom Bradbury converting to give Miners a 6-0 lead. Both teams continued to battle it out with good go forward and committed defence and on the half hour mark the scores were level when East hooker Mark Ballard went over from close range, Adrian Dootson converting to tie the game up at 6-6. It looked as though the game would be all square going into the interval but when East were rewarded a penalty right on half time, Jonno Smith stepped up and kicked a penalty goal from forty yards out on the touchline to give the visitors a 8-6 lead after a tight opening forty minutes.

At the start of the second half it was the home side that started the stronger and were back in front within four minutes of the restart Adam Thomason going over on the left to score, Bradbury converting to give Miners a 12-8 lead. East were back in front ten minutes later after silly Miners penalties allowed the visitors good field position and from that they took full advantage, Lyndon Robertson charged over to score, Dootson converting to give the visitors a two point advantage at 14-12. That lead was increased soon after when Jonno Smith barged over from close range, Smith converting his try to give the score 20-12. East were ten points in front when Smith added his third goal from a penalty and thats how the score stayed at 22-12, Miners battled hard to try and pull off another late come back but East were not to be denied as they sniffed out what ever Miners through at them late on to take a long awaited derby victory.

Miners are away at Siddal on Saturday.

good report that Darryl I hope the injury you picked up clears soon, you wont say it but I will, you going off injured left a big hole in the Miners defence and attack.

Excellent close game as usual and hopefully both can make it through the play offs and have an all Leigh grand final

And after all this time having a winning bit of banter and a gloat with the Miners men , especially legends Bob and Paul Dowling Still we didn't top what that chilidish get Paul did last year

Good report Daryll I like reading your build ups and reports of the Dark Sides matches , so keep em coming please

Full Match
rlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v

my god gormless its taken you a week to put it on here parky beat you hands down his was on the miners site the same day