Leigh 14 York 44: Brining hat-trick sees Knights avoid upset

The Knights never looked back after three tries in the opening quarter, especially after quashing a comeback with two more touchdowns just before half-time.

York were missing crocked skipper James Haynes but his replacement at full-back Ben Dent, their top try-scorer last year, set them on their way, timing his run superbly onto Jonny Presley’s delayed pass. He also kicked six goals.

Soon, Miners winger Harry Gagen was deceived by a bounce and Nev Morrison scored, and Kriss Brining’s first of three tries – all expertly scored from dummy-half – made it 18-0.

Miners hit back through winger Harry Gagen, set up by quick hands, and skipper Scott O’Brien, on the back of a break by Brad Hargreaves, Jonny Youds goaling.

But Brining’s second try and a Presley’s superb solo effort made it 30-10 at half-time.

Hooker Brining completed his hat-trick 10 minutes into the second half and Adam Dent, on his seasonal bow, benefited from home full-back Youds’s loose pass into no-man’s land to make it 40-10.

Leigh replied after getting the penalty at the end of a brawl, Adam Thomason the scorer.

But York’s Ed Smith crashed through to complete the scoring.

Leigh Miners Rangers: J. Youds, Gagen, Hargreaves, Thomason, Probert, Dowie, O’Brien, Astley, D. Jones, Kay, Jackson, Parkinson, C. Ratcliffe. Substitutes: Doyle, Gray, Grimes, O’Boyle.

York: B. Dent, A. Dent, Minikin, Cunningham, Morrison, Presley, P. Smith, Applegarth, Brining, Aldous, Tonks, E. Smith, Mallinder. Substitutes: Iley, Roche, Aspinall, Pickles.

Referee: G Hewer (RFL).