Leigh Miners Rangers 26

Woolston Rovers 12

ROVERS suffered their third defeat of the season in the National Conference League Premier Division.

Leigh got off to the worst possible start when they had second row Gary Grainey sent off for punching, but despite this they opened the scoring when centre Steve Topping wormed his way over and Winston Sarsfield added the goal.

Matt Irwin outjumped the Rovers defence to collect an up and under and score. Sarsfield goaled.

Rovers got on the scoreboard with a penalty from Graham Smith but Miners crossed again through Topping. Sarsfield's goal was the final score of the half.

Rovers got back into the game seven minutes into the second half when Nigel Quarmby sent centre Tim Iddon racing clear and he found second row Neil Hyde in support to score. Smith's goals reduced the deficit to 10 points.

Rovers then had Peter Livett dismissed for a debatable high tackle and five minutes later Sarsfield landed a penalty.

Miners put themselves in an unassailable position when a kick ahead by Ken Jones was hacked on by Mick Warburton and Jones won the race to score.

Miners had Jones sin-binned for lying on in the tackle and Rovers took advantage when a long ball from substitute Warren Ayres found Iddon and he passed back to Ayres who went over in the corner for his first senior try.

The man of the match tie was awarded to Jones. For Rovers, Nigel Quarmby and Karl Taylor were best.

Rovers: N. Quarmby, M. Carter, T. Iddon, K. Taylor, J. Bell; G. Smith, M. Wallington; A. Jude, P. Stringer, P. Foster, N. Hyde, E. Harris, N. Mawdsley. Subs: W. Ayres, P. Livett.

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