Leigh East 22, Skirlaugh 16: LEIGH East put themselves back in the top five play-off frame with a solid, if unspectacular victory, over the Humberside visitors.

It was a welcome return to winning ways after the previous defeat at Woolston but it was still a far cry from the skilful and classy performances that have illuminated the National Conference Premier division.

The conditions were hardly suited to open attacking rugby but Skirlaugh managed to produce better team play than East did at any stage of the game. However, though much of East's play was dominated by missed tackles and one-man rugby, they still had the extra pace which helped them to victory.

David Ellison gave East the perfect start when he intercepted and raced 80 metres for a spectacular opener. But instead of capitalising on the early lead, it was 20 minutes before the home side would add to their score. Between time Skirlaugh dominated but their finishing was poor and they were restricted to a 19th minute try from Richard Driver converted by Colin Brown.

In the 23rd minute strong drives from props Whiteside and Tooze took play close to the line where John Gunning cleverly switched play to send Ian Lewis in for his first senior try. Chris Dootson added the extras.

Seven minutes into the second half Simon Warhurst scored in the corner but Skirlaugh hit back with a try from Batty converted by Brown.

Danny Kilshaw came on as a 63rd minute substitute and with his first touch of the ball won a penalty which Dootson knocked over. Kilshaw struck again soon afterwards with a converted try to give East some breathing space.

But the pressure was back on when Brown touched down in the 72nd minute.

The closing stages were a tetchy affair and ended with East's Gary Fletcher and Skirlaugh prop Dean Ralph being sent off after an exchange of blows.