Make mine a double!

This was one of the most crucial victories of the season for East with visitors Thatto Heath also in contention for a Top Six play off place. Even though the final scoreline was comfortable, East had to call on their resources to earn victory.

Yet for the first 30 minutes East's brilliant play put them into an 18-0 lead and indicated that a runaway victory could be on the cards against one of the strongest sides in the Conference.

In the eighth minute centre Liam Rowson spotted a gap for the opening try. Then good approach play ended with a superb one-handed pass from the ever-improving Simon Stephens putting Mark Starkie in under the posts. Three minutes later Starkie battled his way through three defenders to add a second.

Woods goaled all three and even though winger Del Faro scored late in the half for Thatto, East looked home and dry with an 18-4 half time lead. But Thatto are a good, solid footballing side and were not prepared to let the game slip away easily and tries from Del Faro and Dootson meant that only their lack of a goal kicker separated the two sides.

Rowson, who had a fine game at centre, gave East vital breathing space with a perfectly timed 62nd minute drop goal and Woods dealt the killer blow with a top notch try after a move involving himself, Taylor and Gunning. Thatto's full back Woods added a consolation try but the last word went to East substitute Kirk Reynolds who stretched over the line right on time, Woods adding the goal.

This was another excellent all round performance from East. Their defence, so impressive in recent games, was again called upon to do its duty with Rowson, Stephens, Taylor and Warhurst in the front line. On attack East's front row of Shaun Whiteside, Gary Fletcher and Simon Stephens were magnificent, their powerful running the perfect compliment to the flair of Kay, Woods and Gunning.