MINERS DIG DEEP TO HANG ON TO WIN AT LOCK LANE

CASTLEFORD LOCK LANE 20 V LEIGH MINERS RANGERS 22
NCL PREMIER @ LOCK LANE
16 JULY 2016 --- 2.30PM

LEIGH MINERS RANGERS IN POSESSION AT LOCK LANE

A tight game with an enterprising second half comeback from Lock Lane very nearly overhauled the visitors after Leigh Miners had stormed to a 20-8 half time lead courtesy of 2 Todd Fenlon tries.
This weekend brought no weather worries, for a change, and the first visit to Lock Lane was planned always an important part of the NCL rugby league viewing because this is were it all started when we started our meander into to NCL three seasons ago.  Since then we have visited once or twice each season and indeed have covered the ground before needless to add not too much has changed with the large leisure centre building dominating the site with the bar area offering an excellent viewing gantry, especially on bad weather days.  The rest of the ground is as per most NCL clubs grass standing a couple of dug outs and in Lock Lanes case floodlights.

The journey was relatively event less although Northern Rail did have to replace a train for our departure from Sheffield to Castleford after out first change from base station.  Upon arrival in Cas we walked 200 yds away from the ground under the railway tunnel to Hoppys off the Hook fish shop.  This purveyor of good food was discovered last season on a trip to Glasshoughton when we met Mark the owner and I have followed the businesses development from afar.

HOPPYS FISH AND CHIPS WITH PEA FRITTER!

Today Mark was having a day off and we were greeted by Liam and Angela who served us a superb fish with chips and batter bits, indeed having an appetite I added one of Hoppys delicacies a mushy pea fritter.  Walking back to the station we were stopped by revenue protection who asked us about the establishment and I think they booked themselves in for a few later on.  Oh and yes we both managed to complete our boxed meals!

LOCK LANE AND NEARBY 'BIG' NEIGHBOURS TIGERS

A walk from a sunny Cas found the town buzzing with people and a very active indoor and outdoor market which was encouraging to see.  We had a little time to take a look at the nearby canal and its lock serving the Calder and Aire, before moving back to the ground and upon paying our admission and receiving todays programme we popped upstairs to the bar for a lemonade.
The visitors from Leigh would be looking for a win as they sat in third place and following last years title I guess they would hope to repeat that effort again while Lock Lane for so long pushing at the top of the table are finding it a little difficult this season in the form table.
[As ever bear with me on names I will double check when published, camera and notes etc]
Lock lane went into  a 4-0 lead when Lewis Price went over in the first minute but it was the Miners who came back strong to lead 10-4 thanks to Will Ashworth and Fenlon the latters try converted by Johhny Youds.  Lock Lane responded with Paul Brown going over the whitewash to make it 8-10.

LANES ROB FIRTH CHARGES THROUGH

The visitors then started to pull away with Fenlon and Lee Gittens each adding 4 points before a late first half penalty made it 8-20 at the break. 
During the first half referee Harry Neville had the strange experience of dismissing one of Lock Lanes coaching staff who had gone off to recover a ball cleared out of the ground and upon return something appeared to have been said.

REF NEVILLE GETS THE CARDS OUT

There was a danger of Lock Lane being on the wrong side of a big defeat but never doubt the resilience of rugby league players and Lock Lane came back through Adam Garlick and a Connor Turner conversion.  The visitors nestled a penalty into the action to take the score to 14-22 and then to set up a grandstand finish Aaron Dobek touched down for Turner to convert again 20-22 with 7 minutes to go.

A determined push from Lock Lane very nearly got them back into a game they looked out of at half time but Leigh Miners Rangers held strong to secure the points.
A word on todays officials referee Harry Neville, who we had seen a few weeks ago at Milford, and touch judges Dougie Martin and Ryan Whitworth who had excellent games.  Indeed Mick had got into conversation with one of the touch judges dad with whom it was as ever a pleasure to talk sport with.  Also during todays game we got into conversation with a fellow non league football hopper from Worcestershire a pleasure and our appetite has been encouraged for a visit to this area next season for some new grounds.
A steady walk back through the town for a few provisions saw is board the Sheffield bound train just shy of 5pm and with a quick change for the train to base station where we arrived at around 6.20pm.
Good to revisit an old friend in Lock Lane and enjoy a tight game plus some excellent fish and chips to be recommended if you are visiting Castleford.

BUSY AFTERNOON IN CAS