Leigh East 'A' team welcomed Manchester Rangers to Ledgard Avenue for their first home game of the 2017 NWML campaign.

It was evident during the warm up that East had a focus and determination about them to right the wrongs from the opening game against Chorley.

East received the ball deep in their own territory, and it was obvious that the big Manchester Rangers forwards were looking to force the error as they hit hard in the opening exchanges.

Ben Parry then stunned the opposition, scorching through the Rangers defence to score a length of the field effort to open the East account in the 1st minute of the game. Zac Nicholls added the extras.

After the blistering start, both sides settled down and with Rangers having the bulk of the possession it wasn’t long before they levelled the game up at 6 all through a converted try.

The East boys responded with a spell of brutal defence that stopped the Rangers attack dead, forcing the opposition to make the sort of errors that blighted East at Chorley last week.

Five minutes before the break, that relentless pressure finally paid off with Zac Nicholls going over for the try which he converted to take East out to a 12-6 lead at the break.

The second half saw a continuation of that defence. As a result the Rangers attack was blunted, kept quiet by fierce tackling. With the Rangers team tiring, halfbacks Littlewood and Parry started to come to the fore with some slick handling which allowed Alan Campbell force his way over. That took East out to a 16 – 6 lead, with Nicholls unfortunately hitting the post with the attempted conversion.

As the game wore on, the teams traded penalties. Rangers had their best chance to score 15 mins from time but East defence was resolute. They forced an error and regained possession.

Both teams went set for set, until Curt Littlewood dropped his shoulder and dived over to right of the posts after 76 minutes. Zac Nicholls added the extras and finish the game with a ten point personal haul.

Confusion reigned at the end of the game with a penalty being blown East's way before the referee then immediately blew for full time.

All in all, it was an impressive performance from the East who dominated a big, strong Manchester Rangers team.

Celebrations were tempered as the news came through from Leeds about the injury to Lee Rowley.

From all the staff and players involved with the 2nd team, we send our best wishes for a speedy recovery and hopefully we'll see you back in black as soon as is humanly possible.

(Pictured - Ten point haul for Zac Nicholls)