LEIGH EAST 46

SALFORD CITY ROOSTERS 8

 

Leigh East finally got off the mark with a resounding eight try win over Salford City Roosters that included a hat-trick from Nathan Gaskell and a seven goal haul from Tom Worthington.

 

It was a tentative opening from the visitors who pushed forward and won a penalty that Ben White guided between the posts for a 2-0 lead after four minutes.

 

East responded well with Pat Rainford scooting over from dummy half close to the line and Tom Worthington goaled.

 

Next came some Rugby League smarts as the ball was kicked long from a scrum and Josh Adudwumaa chased down and secured possession. As Salford City Roosters were still back tracking, the ball was moved right Gaskell cut inside for his first try of the afternoon.

 

Leading 10-2, East had Phil Bickerstaff sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle. Despite his absence, Leigh East claimed two further tries. The first went to Mark Cahill from dummy half before Gaskell cut a second swathe through the defence after 28 minutes. Worthington added his third conversion and East led 22-2 at half-time.

 

Things continued with Adam Holland and Worthington linking to great effect. Zac Nicholls put Gaskell over for his hat-trick try at the start of the new half. Joe Connor was sinbinned after 50 minutes for the visitors and East made them pay with a sensational 70 metre raid. The Roosters had kicked deep with the ball trickling deep behind Chris Penn. The fullback got to the tap, made some ground and played the ball quickly for Josh Adudwumaa to beat all comers through the middle of the field. Worthington added his fifth goal and East now led 34-2.

 

Holland who was then tripped by White. That resulted in a red card. Now reduced to eleven men, Salford were powerless to stop Bickerstaff running under the posts. 

 

Six minutes later East were at their best again when Cahill split the defence, Penn followed up and Holland danced inside for the hosts eighth try. Worthington completed his goal haul but there was still just enough time near the end for Joe Connor to claim a consolation score with Andy Muscat converting.