Leigh East 30 Leigh Miners Rangers 14

FOR the last five senior games Leigh East have had to suffer defeats at the hand of their closest neighbours and keenest rivals, Leigh Miners.

That sequence came to an end in Saturday's Arriva Trains Conference Premier Division fixture and no-one from the Twist Lane camp will argue that this was a match that the Easts fully deserved to win.

Leigh Miners substitute and Man of the Match Lee Lomax put everything into the game, Darren Pilkington was a hard working full back, Sean Phoenix did all he could to try to contain East's outstanding half back pair of Meadows and Kilshaw, while loose forward Tommy Goulden tried hard to shake off the defence which tagged his every move.

But it was East who held all the aces. They had top class centres in Hall and Man of the Match Woods and they had Mark Kay, who is surely one of the best full backs in the amateur game. And in a pack that controlled this game they had the likes of Whiteside, Taylor, Southworth, Clark and, when he took the field as sub, Robert Bowdler.

Despite the convincing scoreline, at one point in the second half the Miners were within striking distance of their hosts. But East had the extra commitment, fire and speed that helped them stay the pace, withstand the pressure and finally run out worthy winners.

By half time the scoreline was 16-2 in East's favour. Wingfield and Meadows set up a try for Kilshaw in the second minute and in the 34th minute Clark followed up Hall's darting run for his touchdown. John Woods converted both tries and kicked two penalties with Leigh Miners only reply a penalty from ex-East man Radley.

Warren Ayres' half time team talk had some effect and within a minute Forber had spotted his chance for a try. Half an hour later Redicliffe split East's defence again, Radley added both goals and only two penalties from Woods kept the scores a safe distance apart.

Then Lee Wingfield scored the try which really mattered followed by Kilshaw's second right on full time, Woods converted one to take his tally to seven out of eight attempts.

On Saturday East face their toughest challenge yet with a visit to Thornhill, also unbeaten and currently top of the league. Miners are at home to Thatto Heath tomorrow (Friday), kick off 7.30pm.