Once again it was a case of so near, yet so far for Leigh East as West Bowling clung on to win despite a second half fightback by the visitors.

 

There was early drama when Jack Milburn was sent off after just a couple of minutes for an incident involving  East man-of-the-match Andrew Ball. 

 

Both teams had chances for points but it was West Bowling that struck first when Richard Lumb went over and Liam Coe added the first of four goals. Leigh East replied after a couple of minutes when Adam Holland finished a good break from Ball. Holland added the first of his three goals to lock the scores at 6-all.

 

Twenty four minutes in, West Bowling scored their second try when Daniel Gregory touched down a delicate kick from Coe. The scrum half goaled to make it 12-6 and Bowling were next to the line when Ryan Patchett went the direct route through the middle to the posts. Coe goaled again to give the hosts an 18-6 advantage at half-time.

 

Coe then scored the first try of the second half after 51 minutes. His conversion made it 24-6 before Leigh East came alive. 

 

Ball started the comeback after 55 minutes, driving over from close range and Holland goaled. East continued to press and scored a third try when Ellis Noon swept in at the corner. Sadly Holland couldn't goal but struck a brilliant conversion for Noon's second try after 67 minutes. It looked like East would go on to win the game but they frittered away a couple of chances and Ball saw an effort disallowed in the closing stages, allowing West Bowling to hang on.