Bramley 12

Leigh Miners 18 AMATEURS Leigh Miners Rangers will today join the big guns of Super League in the draw for the fourth round of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup. They joined the growing band of Challenge Cup giant-killers when they put out Mike Ford's Bramley in the shock of the third round yesterday.

An 18-12 win at Headingley guaranteed Leigh Miners a minimum pay-out of £5,250 from the sponsors plus the chance of a money-spinning tie with one of the 13 Super League outfits who enter the competition for the first time on the weekend of February 13-14.

They became the first Leigh-based amateur side to knock out a professional club and earn a place in the history books.

The Miners' crucial try came in the 55th minute from ex-Warrington Wolves centre Richard Henare but then it needed a brave rearguard action to carry the Miners to victory. Lee Lomax, Howard Newton, Mark Meadows and Paul Shepherd all pulled off try-saving tackles as Bramley laid siege to the Leigh line. ". "But our forwards laid the platform for success and our scrambling defence was magnificent."

There was no argument from Bramley player/coach Ford, a Cup winner with Wigan 14 years ago. "It was the worst defeat of my life, but all credit to Leigh Miners, their tactics paid off and we couldn't match them."

Ex-Leigh scrum-half Chris Wilkinson was voted man of the match for two crucial goals and two field goals while their tries came from Mick Warburton, Newton and Henare.

Now the Miners wait to see who they play in round four - and any home draw will do.

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