Leigh East 32 Hensingham 24
By Dave Parkinson
Leigh east snapped a three-game losing sequence with a home success over Cumbrians Hensingham.
East made a rapid start and led 10-0 after ten minutes thanks to an early try from Nathan Gaskell. Adam Holland added the first of four goals and things got even better when Jay Boyd fired a long ball to Kieron Prescott and he zipped downfield for the second try from 55 metres.
Hensingham showed what they are capable of when swift passing left released Travis Scott to the corner and they followed this with two more rapid tries from Logan Holgate and full-back Scott Egan. Noel Branthwaite added two goals and the visitors led 10-16 after 26 minutes.
East struck again with Prescott laying on the final pass for Bernard Aboagye to score in the corner and then right on the stroke of half-time Connor Grainey went through the middle and Prescott supported. Despite being hauled down, a quick play the ball gave enough time and space for Zac Nicholls to go over by the posts and Holland's second goal made it 20-16 at half-time to the hosts.
Right at the start of the new half, Hensingham heaped pressure on themselves when the kick-off didn't go the required distance. Leigh East moved into position and a switch of direction brought Gaskell his second try.
The centre could have had a hat-trick but for some stern defence and had to leave the field with injury after a four-minute stoppage. This didn't put the hosts off and they launched a deep attack from a scrum inside their own half with the ball eventually reaching Ben Wharton and he was able to add a spectacular finish. Holland completed his goal haul to make it 32-16 and although the visitors finished strongly with tries from Holgate and Callum Morgan, East were always that bit better and came away with victory.
Next Saturday East are on the road at Millom, followed by a trip to Batley Boys before returning home to play Waterhead on 14th May.
East beat Hensingham
