ASKAM 30 LEIGH EAST 12

Leigh East's brave promotion chase was ended at the semi-final stage in Cumbria by an Askam side that made the most of their opportunities.

It was a valiant effort from Leigh East who fielded eleven players that have come through the ranks and with the likes of Sam Grainey, Lee Rowley, Tom Worthington, Craig Wingfield and Andrew Ball sidelined through injury or suspension it was a great effort by the lads from Ledgard Avenue.

Askam eventually ran out deserved winners and had several players missing themselves through injury, which led to two youthful teams showing great determination and attacking flair. 

From the kick off East lost possession and Askam forged the first opportunity in the game but were brought back for a mistake. It wasn't the most convincing of starts but East then marched downfield with purpose; Ihaka Watene weaving on the right to find support of Pat Grainey before the ball came inside. On the last tackle Martin Roden chipped to the in-goal for Askam to fumble. 

East were clinical from the scrum as the ball moved left quickly and fast feet from fullback Chris Penn saw him get away from several defenders and burst over the line. Adam Holland goaled but Askam applied pressure - Daniel Sayle seeing a try disallowed for a forward pass; before a long run by Sam Dowsett set the position and accurate passing right saw Tom Askew finish well. Sam Dowsett goaled and the sides were level after 12 minutes.

Punishing defence then kept Askam at bay while the hosts handed East a couple of penalties. Holland chose to go for goal with one, but it drifted wide. From the possession though, the visitors launched a counter attack and a last tackle play saw Roden link with Watene who in turn found Grainey and Billy Bishop followed him in support for a try by the posts. This time Holland nailed the kick and it was 12-6 after 21 minutes.

Askam were never far away however and their own dogged defence kept up the pressure. Phil Bickerstaff felt the force of a four man driving tackle that took him over the touchline. Dowsett proved East's undoing with a brilliant ball from dummy half that sent Tom Wilkinson under the posts. Dowsett converted and the sides were level at the interval - 12-all.

The second half got off to a scrappy start before the hosts put on a 47th minute scrum play. Adam Jackson drifted left and linked with Russ Bolton for the fullback to sail around the despairing tackler to the line. Once more Dowsett converted from out wide and it was 18-12.

Big inroads came from Tom Gaffatt and although he was stopped short, Askam moved play right for Tom Butler to score the hosts second try in three minutes. Dowsett converted to make it 24-12.

It was something of an uneasy lead for Askam and Leigh East responded with some pressure. Unfortunately their attack was blunted at almost every pass despite Grainey seeing an effort go begging after grounding just short of the line.

Five minutes from time Askam made sure of the result with a close range score. Sam Dowsett was again the creator with a short kick that was pounced on by Goffatt. The excellent Dowsett also added his fifth goal and the hosts had it 30-12.  

Louis Else and particularly Billy Bishop impressed for East while there were also good efforts from Pat Grainey and Dean Balmer, but it was the hosts that go on to the final.