East win 3rd NCL game on bounce

19 Jun 2022 in News

East win 3rd NCL game on bounce East win 3rd NCL game on bounce

LEIGH EAST 42

DRIGHLINGTON 20

Leigh East claimed their third win on the bounce in Division Three, posting seven tries in the process past Drighlington.

In a powerful pack performance East's bigger men, Connor Grainey, Cole Appleby and Adam Wilkes all impressed.

Drighlington made the better start and led 4-0 early on thanks to a try from Joe Sheldon, although Kieron Roche couldn't convert.

East responded with tries after 13 and 18 minutes from Grainey and Appleby, returning halfback Keiron Wilkinson kicking both goals.

Two tries in three minutes put Drighlington in ascendancy as fullback Sam Thornton swept over on the left and Roche supported a great break from Lucas Hallas and Sheldon to go under the posts. The conversion from Roche nudged the visitors in front at 12-14.

Again East responded well, forcing three back-to-back sets of possession. The hosts manipulated the defence to then send play left and Bernard Aboagye sailed over the line after 28 minutes. Wilkinson goaled and East led 18-14 at half-time.

Six minutes into the new half Wilkinson attempted a kick through that was well claimed by Roche and he sped 80 metres for a converted try that again had Drighlington in front.

That lead lasted just four minutes and East took control of the game. First Kieron Prescott zipped in for a typical try off Zac Nicholls, then Grainey ran in his second. In the direct aftermath, Ethan Hallas was dismissed for a headbutt on Nicholls. Adam Holland goaled and added two more to his tally as the hosts finished strongly with two tries in the last ten minutes.

Grainey crowned a superb personal game with his hat-trick try and just before the end Prescott again broke through the middle and unselfishly handed on to Steve Keegan to take the hosts past forty points.

East are next in action in two weeks time when they fravel over to second-placed Waterhead Warriors.

Keegan to take the hosts past forty points.

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