PREPARATIONS are gathering apace for Leigh Miners’ 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday 6 August, with events either side of that afternoon’s first team fixture against Lock Lane.

From 1pm the club will be hosting a question and answer session with past players at £5 per ticket (including buffet snacks, match admission and a special-edition programme) whilst from 7pm there will be a mixed dinner again featuring past players and a guest speaker, tickets at £25 per person including a two course meal.

The day will also see the 2016 Hall of Fame inductions and the launch of the 50th anniversary book which looks back at events from across the five decades of the club’s history.

This weekend the first team entertain opponents who have more than played their part in that rich history. Pilkington Recs cast the decisive vote at the 1966 Warrington & District League AGM to allow Miners access to the competition, and then proved that chivalry ended on the referee’s whistle as they became the first club to defeat Miners in our second competitive outing.

Throughout the 1970s Miners teams including the likes of the Dowling twins, Rod Lewis, John Webster, Alan Marsh and John Roberts enjoyed a fierce but respected rivalry against Pilks teams featuring great players of the calibre of Billy Simmonds and Rufus Hill.

After over two decades’ absence Pilks are now back in the top division of amateur rugby and sent Miners down to defeat in our meeting earlier this season.

Miners tackle Pilkington Recs LEIGH Miners are at home to Pilkington Recs on Saturday, 1.30pm and is followed by the Alliance team North West Trophy semi-final against Leyland Warriors at 4pm.

Only one fixture took place at open age for Miners Rangers this weekend and it saw the women’s team pick up a resounding win 76-0 against traditional rivals Brighouse.

The ladies are preparing for their Challenge Cup showdown against Thatto Heath at Bradford’s Odsal Stadium on Sunday at Odsal Stadium.

This pits Miners ladies against one of the strongest teams in women’s rugby in Thatto Heath Crusaders.

The Miners Rangers side have pulled off some famous victories on their way to the final with a first-ever win over Wigan St Patricks and they are well-placed in their section of the play-offs.