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Saints see victory over East go west

5/10/2005

Rugby League
Oldham St Anne's 24
Leigh East 26

LEIGH gained their second win of the National Conference League Premier Division season as Saints lost a 10-point lead and their third consecutive match.

The home side had opened the scoring within five minutes as an overlap on the right culminated with Ben Mayers scoring in the corner from Richard Badby's pass.

They extended their lead eight minutes later when, after putting East under pressure in their own quarter, hooker Eric Johnson dived over from dummy-half. Kiel Lancashire added the extras.

The greasy conditions failed to help either side, but they assisted Leigh in reducing the deficit on 24 minutes as Danny Kilshaw crossed after Saints failed to control the ball.

A Coombes try just before half-time then saw Leigh trail 10-8 at the break.

The second half opened up with both sides scoring dubious tries, Leigh claiming Ken Kerr's try came via a double movement while Leigh substitute Simon Stephens capitalised on what appeared a forward pass to touch down.

However, East then took control of the game with three further tries.

The first came through Kilshaw from John Gunning's inside pass on 52 minutes, Gunning adding the goal.

They took the lead for the first time seven minutes later as winger Gavin Hunter went over after Saints failed to find touch with a penalty.

Lee Penkywicz finished the rout with the visitors' sixth try on 63 minutes before Saints replied with a John Gillam try from Badby's overhead pass.

Saints had two tries disallowed in the closing stages, but only had themselves to blame as they chose to run four consecutive penalties in their opponents' 10-metre zone.

Their frustration was neatly summed up in the last minute when Kerr was sent off for abusing the referee.