Kingstone Press Cider National Conference League round-up

PREMIER DIVISION

LEIGH MINERS RANGERS now top the table after a 35-22 mid-week triumph over THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS.

The home side enjoyed the better of the final stages of the contest against a Thatto side that remains in deep relegation trouble.

The visitors were level at 16-16 early in the second period but eventually fell away to remain second bottom – four points from safety – with just five games to go.

Thatto winger Louis Taylor grabbed the first try of the contest in the ninth minute with Sean Leicester improving for the first of his three conversions for Thatto.

However, Leigh roared back with touchdowns from Tom Farrimond, Andrew Groves and Tom Parkinson – plus two conversions from Jonny Youds – to take control, before centre Leicester went over to make it 16-10 at the break.

Thatto needed just five minutes of the second half to level matters when scrum-half Sean Kenny stepped his way over for a converted effort, but that proved to sting the hosts into action.

Brad Hargreaves and Shaun Dowie both went over to give the Miners the initiative and despite Leicester improving a Tom Tunstall effort in between times, Leigh finished strongly with a penalty from Youds, a field-goal from Jimmy Muir and a late four-pointer from Connor Ratcliffe which Youds improved for his fifth goal.

Thursday August 27

Leigh Miners Rangers 35 v 22 Thatto Heath Crusaders

DIVISION ONE

YORK ACORN moved into fifth place following a comfortable 42-16 victory over ELLAND.

The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges and were rewarded with tries to centre Richard Crawshaw and winger Joe Nicholson – one of which Cayci Pearson improved – as they took a 10-4 lead.

Acorn though hit back to lead 26-10 at the break thanks to a brace from centre Ryan Gallagher, a touchdown for Jordan Myers and a second effort from winger Steve Mackley.

Prop Jorge Fairbank barged his way over for the opening score of the second period which Pearson again improved, however, that was as good as it got for the Halifax side who now sit six points clear of the relegation zone.

Myers, plus front-rowers Joe Porter and Tim Stubbs all went over as the home side underlined their dominance, whilst stand-off Anthony Chilton completed his sides points scoring with a five-goal haul.

Thursday August 27

York Acorn 42 v 16 Elland