CLOCK Face Miners boosted their hopes of staying within the NCL 1st Division with a 26-4 midweek win in the rearranged clash against Wigan St Pats under the Thatto Heath floodlights.

Clock went into this game knowing that a loss would almost certainly have sent them down to Division 2.

However, they came out fighting and played probably their best 80 minutes of rugby of the season.

On the 13th minute Lewis Geraghty lofted a kick to the St Pats corner that was plucked from the air by winger, Jimmy Jones, who scored out wide.

A few minutes later a lovely Clock set move bamboozled the St Pats defence and Ben Daniels raced in by the sticks unimpeded with Geraghty converting.

Clock extended their lead on the half hour when a skilful passing play released Jack Graham who scored left of the sticks.

Geraghty slotted over the conversion giving Clock a 16-0 half time lead.

Wigan St Pats came out determined in the second half and came close to scoring, but the winger lost possession short of the try line.

Clock rallied and a deft short ball from Kenny Hughes put Connor McCarten through a gap who raced 30 metres, finding Max Adamson in support who scored out wide with Geraghty adding the difficult conversion.

With seven minutes to go Jones scored his second, grounding a Graham grubber kick.

St Pats had the last say when Andy Higham scored with the final play of the game.

Clock still sit second bottom of NCL Division 1 but, equal on points with Hull Dockers and Stanningley with one game to play in the 2024 season.

Clock need to win at Skirlaugh on Saturday and also require both Hull Dockers and Stanningley to lose to avoid relegation due to Clock’s significantly worse for and against points difference.