Reigning Carnegie Community Club of the Year, Leigh Miners Rangers enjoyed a successful day both on and off the field last Saturday July 14.

The club’s first team gained local bragging rights by beating Leigh East 34-22 in the Street of Origin clash, the second team beat Rochdale Mayfield 46-24 and the junior section held their first ever ‘engage with your club’ action event which proved to be a great success.

Speaking about their first team’s victory in the RFL Conference Challenge Trophy the club’s PRO, Jeff Gorse said: “It was a fantastic match ,  we were 22-6 down after half an hour but we scored just before half time  to get back into the game  and  then  scored 22 unanswered points in the second half.

“It was a great game for neutral supporters and obviously for ourselves, East appeared to be cruising to the win but the lads dug in and put in a fantastic performance in front of around 580 supporters.

“We’ve enjoyed the season so far at Leigh Miners Rangers, we started the season under new coaches following a re-jig of the coaching structure and we’re having a good year on the field.

“As a club we have tried to be pro-active about summer rugby with events such as organising live music and family fun days. We’re lucky with the club-house we’ve got which means we’re able to put on events and activities  right on site so we’ re in a strong position.

“You’ve got to give the summer season a go and although the weather hasn’t helped I’m sure that if we were having a decent summer then the picture would be a lot cheerier across the board.

“Hopefully August will bring some better weather and we have plenty more plans in the pipeline over the coming weeks, starting with a tick-and-pass tournament on 4th August.”

Leigh Miners Rangers run a full junior section as well as two open age men’s sides, a women’s side and also an under-18s team in the Heinz Big Soup Conference Youth League.

The club’s open age section train 7-8 on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Off the field meanwhile, members of the junior section responded in droves to the request to give a little of their time and skills to improve and rejuvenate the club facilities at the first ’engage with your club’ action event.

Volunteer co-ordinator Andy Williams was delighted with the turnout saying: “We were amazed at the number of volunteers who painted, cleaned, trimmed, chopped, mowed, and cooked!

“The weather did us a real favour and we have to say a massive thank you to everyone who gave up their time, and helped to give the clubhouse and the grounds a great makeover.”

Committee Member, Keith Nicholson continued “We had youngsters as young as six who helped, as our generous volunteers and players painted posts and fencing while others got dirty with a spot of weeding.

“We had a couple of volunteers who were a little more adventurous and were let loose on a chain saw and chipper to clear some overgrown spaces.

“The ladies who gave the clubhouse and kitchen a deep clean did an amazing job and it really looks great now. One member lost about a stone pushing the lawnmower until he realised it had a self-drive fitted.

“Pitches were marked out, doors varnished, dressing rooms painted the car park was jet washed, litter picked, and paths levelled.”

A well-deserved barbeque brought the activities at the club to a close before the army of volunteers marched home, satisfied that their considerable efforts had been worthwhile.  

Leigh Miners Rangers are always looking for volunteers, so if you would like to get involved and make a difference or for more information about the club visit: http://www.leighminersrangers.net/

Leigh Miners Rangers would also like to thank long-term main sponsors Welch Mill Carpets, Carlsberg Tetley and Leigh Cables, who have all been great friends and supporters of the club over many years.