Last updated at 11:51, Monday, 22 October 2012

Wath Brow Hornets claimed the Conference Premier Division Minor Premiership with a 22-18 win at Leigh Miners Rangers.

Wath Brow celebrate their titla success. Photo: Amy Caddy

Rangers had started the game with aspirations of claiming top spot themselves but in fact ultimately finished fifth.

The Hornets, though, deservedly edged the game, with the influence of Leroy Joe critical.

It was the veteran Kiwi who came up with what proved to be the clinching score as Miners had to stage a late rally to claw back from 22-10 to within four points.

Joe had able support from Jamie Dixon and impressive centre Francis King as Brow claimed their first League Leaders’ Shield and a home draw against Siddal in the qualification play-off for a spot in their second Grand Final.

Miners opened the scoring on three minutes as Brow’s Ryan Amor was caught napping, fielding a kick on his own line but then playing the ball with the acting half out of position to allow Ross Bradley to nip from marker and touch down. Josh Ward goaled from the touchline.

Within six minutes the visitors, roared on by a sizeable travelling contingent, were on the scoreboard as Joe’s kick was spilled by the Miners defence. From the scrum the ball was whipped right for Peter Caddy to dive in at the corner.

The game remained tense and tight but Brow were seeing more of possession and they made that count to take a half-time lead, with Caddy again the scorer as Brow probed down the right. Jason Connery goaled for a 10-6 interval lead.

Two minutes into the second half and Miners were level with Sean Pendlebury crossing out wide and again the game entered a period where defences dominated.

It was Brow who struck the crucial blow with two quick tries.

First Amor broke through and offloaded for James Toman to finish off, then Joe was on hand to score the decisive try as he supported Dixon. Caddy’s two conversions had the Hornets 22-10 up.

Miners made it a dramatic finale with two tries in the dying minutes, through Jonny Carroll and Gareth Pain, but time ran out on them as Brow held on, and with Myton’s loss at Thatto Heath confirmed, they could celebrate finishing top of the pile.

People were quick to pay tribute on Twitter to Wath Brow's achievement.

Among them were Whitehaven RL star Carl Rudd, who said: "Congratulations to @WathBrowHornets on becoming conference champions #UpTheBrow" while Bradford Bulls forward James Donaldson, who comes from Cleator Moor, typed: Congratulations to @WathBrowHornets on winning the league! Best club in amateur RL! #proudtobeahornet #UpTheBrow".

First published at 10:52, Sunday, 21 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk