LEIGH EAST held their nerve to blast Rochdale Mayfield 50-26.

Missing eight regulars, they had to dig deep after a devastating opening which saw them down 18-2 after 15 minutes.

But, with master craftsman John Gunning in great form at No 6 and brother Phil determined at No 7, East battled back with style.

Tony Sanderson was outstanding at prop as East clawed back with tries from Jones, Morris and Partington, that a spectaculat length-of-the-field effort.

Mayfield momentarily regained control, but East were in no mood to hang about as they hit 32 minutes in the last half-hour.

Hard-working Anthony Gredecki grabbed two, others came from Partington, Tim Fletcher and subs Gary Grainey and Bobby Hoey.

On Saturday (2.30) East are on home ground, facing Heworth.

RESULTS from the NorthWest Counties ARL . . . Premier Division: Parkside Golborne 24 Orrell St James 12; Division One: Wigan Spring View 18 Leigh MR 34; Division Two: Dalton 15 Hindley 14; Division Three: Leigh Harriers 38 Weaverham 16; Division Four: Leigh Royal Oak 56 Irlam Hornets 2, Culcheth Eagles 18 Halton Hornets 18.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.