Siddal 18 Leigh East 12: LEIGH East made National Conference leaders Siddal scrap all the way before claiming a narrow victory.

East, Siddal's bogey team in recent years, might even have snatched a draw had Rob Bowdler's last minute try been allowed to stand. Bowdler was ruled to have knocked on as he gathered Danny Kilshaw's kick to the line.

Siddal made a flying start as Jason Blackburn, Craig Turner, Nicky Smith and Mick Shaw called all the shots.

Sean Blackburn opened the home account with a penalty goal and was then on the end of a thrilling attack to grab the first try. When Martin Scrimshaw scampered in from dummy half on 24 minutes and Blackburn goaled, a comfortable Siddal win looked on the cards.

But East had different ideas. Inspired by half back Kilshaw and international back rower Gary Fletcher, they worked an overlap to send winger Ryan Houghton in for a try goaled by John Woods.

Chances were at a premium in the second half with the hard-running Bowdler going close before Blackburn increased Siddal's lead with a penalty on the hour. Minutes later Turner and Gareth Hoosen combined to put Steve Lewis in for a try.

But East refused to lie down and prop Mick Whiteside crashed in for a try 10 minutes from time to set up a thrilling finale.