Dominant East put an end to losing streak

The combination also brought sweet revenge for the early season home defeat by St Annes as well as boosting East's morale for the final run in of the season.

East actually had the best of the exchanges in the first half as well but were still on the wrong end of a 6-0 scoreline at the half way mark. For their part St Annes made too many handling errors to ever create any kind of flow but still managed to take the lead with a try from substitute Daniel Kay, goaled by Tyrrell.

While their outstanding defence, well led by forwards Taylor and Starkie and full back Kay, called a halt to any further home scores, the brains of Gunning and Kilshaw, the attacking flair of Hall, the efforts of the Whiteside brothers and the awesome power of Fletcher had already begun to ease on top before the end of the first half.

And the second half entirely belonged to the visiting Leigh side. Ten minutes from resumption of play substitute forwards Evans and Stephens did the initial work before Kilshaw demonstrated his talent for spotting the half chance and body-swerved through a gap for East's first try.

Three minutes later Kilshaw was flattened as he followed up Gunning's kick but recovered to boot over the penalty goal which levelled the scores. From the re-start Evans made a quick short burst and Lee Wingfield, who has looked confident in his new centre role, collected from the play the ball and cantered 60 yards straight down the middle and over the line, Kilshaw bringing out full points.

It was all over four minutes later when Woods thrilled East's supporters by taking a one-handed interception almost on his own line and going full length for a try again converted by Kilshaw. Darren Hall is well known for his try scoring feats not drop goals - in fact the one he popped over in the 63rd minute was the first of his career! But it guaranteed that St Annes would realistically not be able to close the gap with Kilshaw consolidating with a late penalty goal.