Leigh East 54 Thornhill Trojans 12: NO matter what happens between now and the end of the season Leigh East will have a coveted place in the Arriva Trains Conference Premier Division Top Six Play-Offs.

They made sure of this with a devastating defeat of Thornhill; a result which will leave the Dewsbury side, themselves Top Six contenders, well and truly smarting. A result which also brought sweet revenge for East, beaten 41-6 at Thornhill in September.

But East, unbeaten in the league since the narrow defeat at West Hull at the beginning of January, have come a long way since then, maturing into one of the best, most consistent footballing sides in the Conference.

This comfortable, confident victory shows just how good a side East have become as they blended together a strong forward line-up with the exquisite skills of Woods, Kilshaw and Gunning and put together a mix of sturdy defence and lethal finish.

Thornhill had a reasonable first half but looked tired and weary against their brighter, livelier hosts. They could not handle Man of the Match Gary Fletcher or his front row partners Whiteside and Stephens. They did not have anyone who could get anywhere close to matching Gunning and Kilshaw at half back, or Woods and Wingfield at centre.

And while East's backs scored seven of the nine-try extravaganza it was the forwards - back three Rowson, Starkie and Taylor completing a quality six - who had the key to this victory, working well with the half backs for a winning mix of teamwork and individual flair.

East made a dream start, Wingfield coasting 60 yards to a try within the first three minutes. Thornhill hit right back but East defended well, adding to their score in the 26th minute when Taylor went through a gap created by Kilshaw.

The dust had barely settled when Kilshaw scored an inspired try, kicking over the defence, collecting and touching down with Woods's three conversions making it 18-0 at half time.

Warhurst dealt Thornhill the killer blow in the first minute of the second half when he twisted out of a tackle to score near the posts. Woods, responsible for 20 of East's points, goaled and brought out full points to his own try six minutes later. Fletcher had a try disallowed but within a minute had bounced back to set up the opportunity for Rowson to score.

Kilshaw scored his second from a timely kick, Wingfield added his second Woods making it eight kicks out of eight to put East 48-0 ahead. Bretherton scored consolation tries for Thornhill in the 66th and 75th minute but in-between Simon Stephens created the space for Molyneaux to dummy his way over, Kilshaw goaling.

East's remaining league fixture is on 24 April when they visit title chasing Skirlaugh.