Leigh Miners start there NCL Premier Division campaign away to Wigan St Pats this Saturday, 2-30 kick off at Clarington Park. With this fixture a rerun of last seasons opening NCL fixture Miners will be looking for the same result as last year as they look to make a strong start to the new season. Its the start of a busy schedule for all the Premier Division sides with Miners crossing over the canal next Wednesday to play Leigh East followed by there first home game the following Tuesday against newly promoted Thatto Heath Crusaders.

Wigan St Pats 10 v 25 Leigh Miners

Leigh Miners made a winning start to the new NCL season yesterday with a 25-10 victory at Wigan St Pats. Miners got out of the blocks quickly when stand off Scott O'Brien cut the St Pats defence open to race a good 40 yards to score the opening try of the match, Dale Allred converting giving the visitors a 6-0 lead, That lead was soon increased when scrum half Ryan Smith broke the defence to send Jimmy Muir into score under the post, Allred converting giving the score 12-0. Pats worked themselves back into the game and had plenty of field position and chances to score but strong miners defence kept them at bay. Pats got on the scoreboard midway through the half after 3 or 4 repeat sets on the miners line they scored of a grubber in the left corner, kick converted to give the score 12-6 to miners. The miners lead was increased to 8 points with a Allred penalty goal and it stayed like that until the final minute of the half when miners scored there third try out wide from centre John woods to give them a deserved 18-6 half time lead.

The home side knew they would have to score first in the second half if they had any chance of getting anything from this game but them hopes were ended when MOM Scott O'Brien scored his second of the match chipping over the home defence, Ryan Smith gathering to put O'Brien in for a deserved double, Tom Bradbury converting putting miners 24-6 up. Pats grabbed a late consulation try before Ryan Smith finished the scoring with a late drop goal to give miners a 25-10 victory.

Next up for miners is a trip over the canal on Wednesday night against Leigh East, 7-30 Kick Off at LSV.

top win for the miners against a strong pats side,miners having to stand firm on a good few sets but held firm. credit to all the players.should be another hum dinger at the east on wed night.

Well done to the Miners .

Good win that, well done Miners.