LEIGH MR crashed out of the Champions Challenge in a 16-try thriller!

They went down 52-42 against Eccles after extra-time - and after throwing away a 32-10 lead!

MR were cruising midway through the second half with tries from Winston Sarsfield, Andy Collier, Matt Irwin, Howard Newton and Peter Sharp, plus points from the boot of Sarsfield.

But Eccles hit back, poor tackling from Miners seeing the game level at 32-32 with minutes to go.

Sub forward Timmy Howson then went in under the posts and Sarsfield goaled. Home and dry! No!

Eccles again hit back to send the game into overtime.

There the game was effectively won with two quick penalties and a try either side of the break.

Paul Shepherd scored a late consolation try for MR to round off the scoring.

Eccles face Leigh East in the semis.

East beat fancied Widnes outfit Farnworth 24-14. MoM Gary Fletcher scored a TD early on, David Kay scored twice and there was one each for Steve Cawley and Darren Hall.

In the other semi-final Rose Bridge take on Siddal.

The Wiganers beat crack Cumbrian side Wath Brow 36-18 while Siddal edged out Waterhead 22-18.

Both semis are played on Saturday.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.