Leigh East 30

Oulton Raiders 24 LEIGH East redeemed themselves for the disappointment of losing their first ever National Conference Premier game in the opening match of the season by picking up a welcome two points in their first home game of the new campaign.

East showed far better application in this high speed, non-stop, high-scoring game. Their finishing was better and less hurried than against St Pat's and their completion rate good.

Oulton, who finished third in the Premier table last season, were not going to concede defeat easily against the division's new boys. But the young East side never looked overawed by the task in hand and gave a good account of themselves against the more experienced visiting side.

Defensively, despite one or two mistakes, they did well. On attack they used the skills of John Gunning and the pace of the speed merchants to score six tries against Oulton's four.

The season will get no easier but East have shown they can compete against the best and the young side can only get better.

Simon Warhurst, Lee Rowley and Martin Meadows showed their calibre by returning from the Aussie Youth Tour on Monday, stepping straight into the senior side and producing top class performances.

Danny Kilshaw, John Woods, Robert Bowdler, Stephen Tooze, Lee Wingfield, Mick Redford and Dave Radley are all under 20 and are all capable of doing well in the elite division.

Saturday's scorers were Mark Kay, who grabbed the opening try in either half, Kilshaw, Bowdler, Wingfield and man of the match Redford. Woods kicked one goal, Radley two and Gunning added a drop goal.

Oulton's tries came from Mark Longley (2), Lee Hall and Dave Craven with Gary Robb kicking four goals.