Leigh Miners Rangers 49

Skirlaugh 12

MINERS Rangers put their early season inconsistency behind them to claim their first home win of the campaign.

The Miners were happy to see the return of BARLA U21 internationals Tommy Goulding and Richard Varkulis from a summer in Australia. Both played big parts in the Miners win.

Skirlaugh led early on with a Colin Brown penalty and it wasn't until the 17th minute that Chris Lee's penalty levelled the scores.

But once the Miners hit the front they never looked back. Lee set up the first try with a chip for Alan Reddicliffe to gather and send Craig Graham racing under the posts for a six pointer.

Centre Varkulis steamrollered the Skirlaugh defence to crash in for Leigh's second try after Lee had added a drop goal. The killer blow came just before the break when Goulding burst through and Sean Phoenix sprinted in for a 21-2 interval lead.

Roy Stott bustled over for Miners' fourth try before Varkulis claimed his second and Reddicliffe touched down twice in as many minutes.

Skirlaugh pulled two tries back before Phoenix crossed for his second.