Oulton Raiders 19, Leigh East 15: EAST came within a few minutes of beating Premier Division leaders Oulton

East had stunned the table-toppers with a home victory in their previous meeting and it wasn't until the final whistle that they were sure that the Leigh side were not to upset them again.

Led by Rob Bowdler, well supported by prop Mike Whiteside, East played a full part in a cracking clash.

Oulton took a third minute lead when a speculative John Gunning pass was intercepted by Stephen Jakeman and he raced 50 metres for a Garry Robb goaled try.

Robb added a penalty with East's only response being a Gunning field goal to leave them trailing 8-1 at the break.

Dave Radley landed a penalty at the start of the second half before Oulton stretched clear with a try from winger Lee Hall.

But the introduction of Danny Kilshaw and Lee Penkywicz off the bench sparked East into scoring action. They grabbed tries from Lee Rowley and Mark Kay, both goaled from the touchlines by Radley, to lead 15-12.

In a storming finish the league leaders hit back for victory. Rob Moules potted a field goal and when East failed to defuse a bomb, Mark Longley snapped up the loose ball to grab the winner.