Leigh East 38, Saddleworth Rangers 12: BACK in September Saddleworth Rangers, languishing at the foot of the National Conference Premier Division without a solitary win to their name, inflicted an embarrassing defeat on Leigh East.

Three months later the defeat still smarted in the East camp and so revenge was particularly sweet as the Leigh side exacted retribution.

A second defeat by Saddleworth was never an option for East and within seven minutes they were 12-0 up and already on their way to victory.

Danny Kilshaw, East's key man, opened their account with a fourth minute try. From the re-start good forward play from Michael Whiteside and the outstanding Justin Ganley paved the way for David Ellison to score, Radley bringing out full points with both conversions.

With ex-Leigh and St Helens pro Gary Ainsworth battling non-stop at prop and Mick Coates trying in vain to get the better of Kilshaw and John Gunning, Rangers kept plugging away.

They opened their account with a Coates penalty and added to it with a 36th minute try from Danny Corrigan but not before East had increased their lead with a try from Gary Fletcher engineered by Kilshaw and Ganley.

Five minutes into the second half good handling and a final pass from Penkywicz sent Mark Kay in at the corner, Radley converting with his third touchline kick. There was a lull until the 61st minute when John Woods, who had a good game at centre, finished off another slick move.

Gunning was next to score, following through from Kilshaw's kick. Woods added his second soon afterwards with Radley goaling both.

Saddleworth never stopped trying and were rewarded with a late consolation try and conversion from Coates.