WHITEHAVEN scored three tries in the last eight minutes to spare their blushes in a Carnegie Challenge Cup tie last night against Leigh Miners Rangers.

It finished 40-20 to the Co-operative Championship side but that scoreline flattered the Cumbrians as they knew hey had been involved in a contest to reach Monday’s fourth round draw.

Rangers were quickest to get into their stride and shocked Ged Stokes’ men with an exhilarating opening which produced 14 points.

The visitors finished th stronger in both halves but it was the brave, committed and enthusiastic efforts of the amateurs which won most praise at the end.

The opening home try came on nine minutes when Scott O’Brien jinked over and Tom Bradbury added the conversion, before putting over a penalty.

Could it get any better than that? It did, for on 17 minutes Leigh Miners scored again. A flowing move initiated by Liam Coleman, involved Aaron Gorton and Jonny Youds before Ryan Smith went in under the posts for Bradbury to convert.

Shell-shocked into retaliation Whitehaven ended the half on top and responded well with four tries in the last 11 minutes, three of them converted they led 22-14 at the break.

Craig Calvert (pictured above) scored the opener which seemed to lift Whjitehaven out of their lethargy and he was followed over by Graeme Mattinson, Marc Jackson and Reece Fox. Carl Rudd added three goals.

Miners weren’t ready to throw in the towel and they again produced a spirited start to the half after the resumption. It was an impressive opening which ended with Youds sending Smith in for his second try which Bradbury converted to make the deficit just two points.

The Miners scrum half could have completed a hat-trick but a sloppy pass from Leon Brennan meant the chance was lost.
It was rather harsh on the hosts when Whitehaven produced some of their best rugby of the night to score three tries in the last eight minutes through Richard Farrer, Carl Sice and Dexter Miller with Rudd converting all three.

Whitehaven became the first team through to Monday’s draw and they were quickly joined by Swinton Lions who scored an equally tight 34-22 win over amateurs Warrington Wizards.

Rob Foxen scored two tries as the Championship One club led 34-6 before Danny Shaw touched down twice and Stuart Pirrie added another try to give the Wizards' score some respectability.

Swinton's other tries came from Gary Hulse, Chris Hull, Dana Wilson and Gavin Dodd, who also kicked five goals.

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