Leigh East 26 Blackbrook 14

THE league points drought that has hit Blackbrook lately continued on Saturday as they fell to their fifth consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of mid-table Leigh East.

The spectre of relegation back to the Conference Division Two cast a dark shadow over the Boardmans Lane outfit after this heavy defeat which anchored them firmly in the relegation zone.

Currently it is so tight at the foot of the first division table that points difference may once again be a deciding factor at the end of the season. And a seven tries-to-two mauling like this will obviously do their chances of first division survival no good whatsoever.

However, they could have had few arguments about this particular result as it was Brook's own lack of fitness that eventually cost them the precious league points on offer.

The much-changed visitors took the lead with a penalty goal and held the initiative until the dying minutes of the first half when East edged into a four-point interval lead, with a converted try.

Midway through the second period just two points - in the homesters' favour - separated the teams. But in 12 nightmare minutes in the run-up to the final whistle, mistakes because more frequent in the visitors' camp, and Leigh East's superior fitness became more evident as they rocked Brook with a 20-point scoring blitz, 10 of which came in the last two minutes.

Centre Paul Toole had opened Brook's account with a 12th-minute penalty goal, and he increased the advantage to six points on 30 minutes - courtesy of some excellent solo play by stand-off Steve Marsh - with a try following a 45-metre run to the line.

However, a try from wingman Simon Warhurst minutes later, and a Mark Kay try, goaled by Tony Gradecki, in the last minute of the first period had Leigh East 10-6 ahead at the interval.

Toole reduced Brook's deficit with a penalty goal within two minutes of the re-start, but a 52nd-minute try by substitute Gary Fletcher, goaled by Gradecki, gave East valuable breathing space at 16-8.

However, Blackbrook were back in contention again at 16-14 on the hour, with a Darren Mitchell try converted by Toole.

But injuries and fatigue eventually took their toll in the visitors' line-up, and Leigh East took full advantage with further tries from Kay, Mark Jones, Leigh Granley and Darren Hall, plus two conversion from Gradecki in the final 12 minutes.

The Blackbrook Construction Power Services man-of-the-match accolade went to Steve Marsh with Paul Toole and Phil Smith worthy contenders.

On Saturday Blackbrook entertain East Leeds at Boardmans Lane.

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