LEIGH Miners Rangers picked up a valuable two league points and the Steve Prescott Foundation Charity Shield after this tremendous match against second-placed Wath Brow.

Miners made immediate inroads as Scott O’Brien’s kick to the left wing was gathered by Will Ashworth and although he was ankle-tapped he had the presence of mind to pop the pass up for Jonny Youds to finish off.

However Brow responded immediately with a try.

Miners regained the lead when Connor Ratcliffe broke through from 30m out, fending off the tackles and stepping inside the fullback to score a fine solo effort, Youds adding the conversion.

O’Brien kicked over the defence and the ball bounced kindly for him to nip in, gather on the bounce and sprint in for the try, Youds’ conversion made it 16-4 at the turnaround.

A Mitch Cox try made it 24-4 but that lead was whittled down to eight points within a matter of minutes but they held firm and finally ensured the win with ten minutes remaining as Tom Farrimond put out a peach of a pass for Lee Gittins to force his way over, Youds with the fine conversion to round off proceedings.

On Friday night the Alliance team overcame Manchester Rangers in a physical battle at the Etihad Campus 18-16, Tom Bradbury with the winning conversion.

This weekend the first team travel to Lock Lane with the Alliance at home to Bury (2.30pm Saturday) and the women host the Army in the Challenge Cup semi-final on Sunday.

East rattle in half century