Walney Central 14

Leigh East 11 LEIGH East could not be blamed if they felt they had been robbed of a National Conference Premier Division victory over Walney Central.

With literally seconds left on the clock, East, after weathering the storm of some heavy-handed tactics by the older, wiser and more experienced Cumbrians, led by one point and looked to be heading for another good away win.

And a win was what East richly deserved. They played the best ruby of the afternoon, refusing to be drawn into Walney's rough-house tactics, and looked the sharper and fitter of the two sides.

It took a long time for the first score to come with neither side able to gain the upper hand for over 30 minutes. But East always looked the more likely to score and Dave Radley did just that with a 32nd minute penalty goal and four minutes later outstanding half backs Danny Kilshaw and Martin Meadows combined to send John Woods in at the corner.

Five minutes into the second half Walney opened their account with a drop goal but within two minutes East had stretched their lead with a superb try. David Ellison set the move going and quick handling along the line ended with Mark Kay bringing Bowdler into play and the second rower shrugged off a couple of defenders to touch down.

But then it all began to go pear-shaped. Lee Penkywicz was sin-binned for shirt-pulling and Justin Ganley and Walney's prop were red-carded after a minor scuffle. Missed tackles allowed Walney in for a converted try and a penalty for dissent saw the home team draw level.

East looked as though they had salvaged something when Mick Redford's 72nd minute drop goal put them back in front.

But more heartbreak for East was to follow when a Walney player, in a blatant offside position, took off to score the winner.

On Saturday East face a tough task when defending champions West Hull visit Grasmere Street, kick off 2.30pm.