Leigh East took on league leaders Stanningley at the weekend and were well in contention before being swept aside in the second half.

Jack Sykes scored first for the hosts after three minutes to hand them an early 4-0 advantage but Leigh East responded gamely. Stanningley held firm and claimed their second try after twelve minutes when pint sized loose forward Adam Benn burst through the middle. Callum Smithson converted. 

East flickered into life and were rewarded with back-to-back tries. First powerful winger Bernard Aboagye got on the end of a delicate kick from halfback Harvey Massey. Skipper Adam Holland goaled brilliantly from the touchline. Next it was Ryan Gray with the score as the fullback carved through the defence from twenty metres. Holland's conversion put East 12-10 to the good.

Stanningley regained the lead after 25 minutes through Dean Parker but the goal was missed. 

East refused to buckle in the heat and had a couple of half chances before Smithson went over from dummy half in the 35th minute to help secure an 18-12 half-time lead to Stanningley. 

Early in the second half, Stanningley forced a drop out an a move appeared to break down before  big Stephen Welton took matters into his own hands to bludgeon his way through the middle. Surprisingly, Smithson hit the posts with his conversion attempt but the hosts led 22-12. Parker skirted round the outside of the defence for his second try in the 50th minute. Sykes added his second score eight minutes later with Smithson goaling. 

The game reached a flashpoint after 62 minutes when a fight broke out following a dangerous tackle. Ash Yarrow was sinbinned for the challenge on Joe Connor while Zac Nicholls and Ben Selby were red carded for their part in the melee.

Jordan Walker put the result beyond doubt for the hosts with Welton goaling to make it 38-12. East got their back line moving from a scrum with Chris Dootson scoring a great team try and Holland added his third goal. There was time for one more Stanningley try when man-of-the-match Adam Benn scored his second and Welton goaled to secure a 44-18 win.

Best for East were Jay Yarwood and Andrew Ball while Adam Whiteside gave another wholehearted display in a couple of positions.