Siddal v Leigh Miners 16-8-14

Siddal 20 v 4 Leigh Miners

Leigh Miners suffered there first league defeat since the back end of May yesterday afternoon when they went down 20-4 against playoff rivals Siddal on a breezy afternoon in Halifax. The game was was played at a really fast pace throughout, with both teams having chances to score only to be denied by hard working scrambling defensive efforts and it was surprising that both teams went into the sheds at half time with the score at 0-0 after the game was very open in the first half.

It was the home side who drew first blood in the second half when prop George Ambler crashed over, Chris Brooke converting to make it 6-0, Siddal where in again soon after when centre Billy Hammond picked up a loose ball when Miners lost the ball following a 50/50 challenge on their own line, Hammond touching down to make it 10-0. Miners hit back with a well worked try from winger Gareth Paine to make it 10-4 and the game was anyone's going into the final quarter with both sides working hard knowing the next score would be vital. That vital next score coming from the home side after a Miners mix up inside their own in goal, thinking the ball was bouncing out only for it to stay in play and be pounced on by Hammond who scored his second of the game and give Siddal a ten point advantage leading 14-4. Siddal wrapped the points up soon after when Joel MacFarlane threw a big dummy from a drop out, cutting through the Miners defence to go and race in to score, Brooke adding the extras to make it 20-4. Miners continued to battle away in the closing minutes but could find no way past a tough home defence as they drop down a place to fifth with this defeat, while Siddal stay in second.

Miners are next in action on Saturday 6th September against Skirlaugh in the league.

MINERS TEAM = Jonny Youds, Jack Probert, Mike O'Boyle, Shaun Dowie, Gareth Paine, Jimmy Muir, Tom Farrimond, Matt Astley, Mathew Meaden, Darryl Kay, Tom Parkinson, Ellis Grimes, Martin Gray, Subs = Sean MacDonald, Chris Bowers, Darryl Appleby, Gary Gittins

MINERS MOM = Mathew Meaden

SIDDAL TEAM = Emmerson Newburn,Gareth Blackburn, Scott Caley, Billy Hammond, Steve Hope, Chris Brooke, Stephen Illingworth, George Ambler, Craig Sanderson, Iain Davies, Daniel Williams, Ross White, Nick Smith, Subs = Richard Lopag, Joel MacFarlane,Tom Garratt,James Chapman

SIDDAL MOM = George Ambler