Shane Davies produced yet another strong performance.

Lee Schofield and Anthony Harris both had massive games as they took play forward for Thornhill. Their endeavour was complemented by the enthusiasm of Ben Kendall in the second row.

The game also saw the debut of new signing Jack Watson from Batley Bulldogs. Watson entered the game midway through the first half with Lee Smith to help maintain the good work of Schofield and Harris. Another notable point about the Trojans line up was that Head Coach Scott Dyson, for the first time under his leadership, selected himself as one of the substitutes.

A penalty goal from Danny Ratcliffe after Leigh Miners had high tackled a Thornhill player saw the home team open the scoring. This was followed by Thornhill scoring the first try of the game when sustained pressure resulting in the try line coming within striking distance. With the Leigh defence on their own line Liam Morley sent out a pass to his right. The pass was weighted perfectly and overstretched the Miners defence. A gap appeared and Ben Hardacre clinically latched onto the ball to cruise over for a try. Danny Ratcliffe converted.
 
But then just as Thornhill were seemingly on course to an impressive victory Leigh Miners began to raise their game. A kick to the corner wasn’t cleared by Thornhill winger Chris Walker. Chris Humprey has anticipated the kick well and raced onto the unattended ball to score a try in the corner. Martyn Ridyard converted to cut Thornhill’s hold on the game to two points.

Richard Pachniuk nipped over for a late consolation try.

A final dummy from Coleman wrong footed Thornhill fullback James Craven and another Leigh Miners try was scored. Martyn Ridyard converted.

This score was quickly followed by a Ridyard penalty goal when Thornhill were guilty of holding down too long in the tackle. The result then seemed confirmed when Leigh Miners scored their final try.

After sustained pressure, play was moved to the bottom corner and Mark Jones barged over from the acting half position for an unconverted try. Thornhill battled valiantly to the death and a final penalty goal from Martyn Ridyard ended the visitors scoring.

A late consolation try in the final minute of play from Richard Pachniuk showed that Thornhill were still in the hunt. Play was on the Leigh Miners line and Pachniuk nipped over from acting half. York Knights bound Danny Ratcliffe converted but it was not enough from Thornhill against a team with title aspirations.

Match report compiled by Andrew Byram.