Reigning
HATTONS SOLICITORS NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE champions
SIDDAL today earned the chance to defend their title with a 28-14 victory over
LEIGH MINERS RANGERS in the second
QUALIFYING SEMI-FINAL.
Siddal, who will meet Minor Premiers Leigh East in the Grand Final at Widnes next Saturday, battled back from 10-0 down midway through the first half to close as compelling winners.
The Miners, who had won at Wath Brow Hornets and Skirlaugh in the Elimination semi-finals, looked capable of claiming yet another notable on their way to what would have been a historic `derby’ with East when centre Sam Gee and stand-off Scott O’Brien crossed and fullback Jonny Youds added a conversion.
But Siddal, with loose forward Luke Simeunovich in inspirational form in a real man of the match display, forced their way into contention when left-winger Scott Caley raced over seven minutes before the break, right-winger Gareth Blackburn adding the extras.
The home side levelled matters five minutes after the resumption when Caley claimed his second try, and just a couple of minutes later Siddal registered a lead they were destined not to lose, Blackburn powering in on the opposite flank.
The advantage was stretched to six points as the game entered the final quarter, Blackburn converting his second try from the touchline.
Veteran substitute John Woods raised Leigh’s hopes with a well-taken touchdown in the 67th minute, but a Blackburn penalty five minutes later gave Siddal a handy eight-point buffer. And there was no way back for the Miners when Luke Simeunovich steamed in two minutes from the close, Blackburn adding his fourth goal.
HATTONS SOLICITORS NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE
Result
Saturday 15 May 2010
QUALIFYING SEMI-FINAL: Siddal 28 Leigh Miners Rangers 14.
Saturday 22 May 2010
GRAND FINAL: Leigh East v Siddal (at the Stobart Stadium, Widnes).
