Woolston Rovers 22, Leigh East 18

WOOLSTON stand-off Andy James gave East a lesson in tactical rugby, sending the National Conference Premier side crashing to their first league defeat since November.

In general terms the home side looked somewhat ordinary, if well constructed side, but time after time the chunky James drove East back and created precious ground advantage with his perfectly placed touch finders. East never quite got to grips with subduing James whose 40/20 kicks led to four tries for Rovers.

East had the edge in pace and skill but, thanks to James, had only a fraction of the possession the home side enjoyed. But if East had put their possession to better use, it would have been a Leigh victory.

James put Woolston in a second minute lead with a penalty but within eight minutes the visitors were 10-2 to the good. In the eighth minute slick handling from one flank to the other and a final pass from Chris Dootson, ended with Mark Kay scoring in the corner.

Three minutes later, drives from the Whiteside brothers and a brilliant pass from Dootson, saw Simon Warhurst cross the whitewash, Dootson goaling.

But by the 29th minute the lethal combination of James's kicks and East's missed tackles saw Rovers nose into a 12-10 lead. By half time, however, it was all square as Dootson banged over a long range penalty.

But they failed to contain James and soon trailed 22-12. Sub Martin Meadows came onto the scene, scoring a stunning 75-yard try but it came too late.

East have a chance to return to winning ways when Skirlaugh visit Grasmere Street on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.