Leigh East 24, Wigan St Judes 20: EAST'S erratic start to the National Conference season continued as they followed up an indifferent display at West Hull with a top class performance which brought to a halt St Judes unbroken opening sequence.
East played some top drawer rugby. But in the end it was the genius of
points machine John Woods - he contributed 20 of his side's 24 points - the
flair of Kilshaw and the determination of the pack, where Clark had a superb game and Whiteside led well, that separated the two sides.
At one point it seemed as if East, 10-2 up at half time, would run away with
the game. In the eighth minute Kilshaw and Woods worked a move along the flank and the speed and support play of Craig Dean, former East junior star and Leigh and Halifax professional, brought the opening try goaled by Woods.
The rest of the half was stalemate, with defences on top, apart from two
penalty goals from Woods and one from Judes full back Whalley. East looked to be coasting home but two minutes from the re-start they had already been penalised twice and substitute Ashton took advantage to crash over, Jones goaling to reduce the deficit to two points.
Woods added a penalty but in the 55th minute second rower Cain scored and Jones converted to put St Judes ahead for the first time.
Woods restored East's lead in the 61st minute when he won a 50 yards kick and chase, tagging on the goal points to a fine individual try. Then, after St Judes lost possession he pounced on the loose ball and raced 40 yards to the corner.
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