NCL Round-up | Leigh East edge Ellenborough in memorable NCL Division Three encounter

A flying start from Leigh East proved just enough as they edged an Impact Performance National Conference League classic at Ledgard Avenue.

The hosts built an 18-0 advantage shortly after the twenty-minute mark, scoring four tries as they moved the ball well against their Cumbrian opponents.

The hosts put the first try on the board after three minutes when long-serving halfback Adam Holland fired a pass right and Cam Clark held off two defenders to score. It was too far wide for Holland to goal.

After eight minutes, East doubled their advantage when Kieran Prescott zipped through for the first of his two tries after Will Ludlow's initial foray. Another score looked on the cards in the 16th minute but good cover defence from Ellenborough Rangers held East at bay.

It wasn't long until the hosts were threatening again as substitute Jordan Hellam laid on a try for prop forward Connor Grainey. From the restart, East kept things simple with Grainey, Adam Wilkes and then Hellam all made inroads through the middle, and with Rangers back-pedaling Prescott spied his chance to nip through for his second try, burning off the chase over forty metres. Jordan Hellam converted.

Charlie Scott then went close to scoring for Ellenborough and they finally began to get to grips with the game. They grabbed their first try after 26 minutes when busy halfback Andrew Ostle kicked through and chased on to score with Owen Hoyles converting.

Clark scored his second try for Leigh East five minutes from the break but the visitors gained confidence from a lovely try by Hoyles and trailed 24-10 at half-time.

East looked set to add to their tally after 49 minutes but Clark lost the ball just short of his hat-trick. Ellenborough continued to plug away and were eventually rewarded when a kick was spilled and Andrew Ostle collected for a try he also converted.

East spurned a kickable penalty after 63 minutes and possession was frittered away before Ellenborough again battled and Jordan Ostle scored from close range after 68 minutes. Hoyles added his third conversion and the final ten minutes brought chances for both teams with East just keeping their line intact to take the win.

On Friday evening Oulton Raiders just did enough to hold off a spirited Thornhill Trojans challenge to keep up the pressure on West Bowling at the top of Division One, however, Bowling showed no signs of pressure when they accounted for Heworth less than 24 hours later. There was an impressive win for Clock Face Miners at Stanningley, while Skirlaugh did just enough to hold off a strong challenge from Featherstone Rovers and Egremont Rangers collected a handsome win on the road at Ince Rose Bridge.

In the Premier Division Hunslet ARLFC marched on with a hard-fought 20-12 win over Siddal who are now under the tutelage of Jake Connor after Richard Knight announced he was moving on. York Acorn collected a superb win at West Hull while Kells were comfortable victors at home to Wigan St Patricks. Lock Lane finally put a little distance between them and the relegation spots after a close win at Hull Dockers while Rochdale Mayfield are starting to look like challengers, as marked by a good win at Wath Brow Hornets.

In Division Two, Wigan St Judes Parkinson family were celebrating as all three brothers played in the team for the first time. They were also rampant on the field, collecting a big win over Saddleworth. Elsewhere in the division, Woolston had a comfortable victory over Milford, Barrow Island lost heavily at Waterhead Warriors. There were also point gluts as Normanton Knights beat Myton Warriors, and Dewsbury Celtic were the latest team to win over East Leeds. Meanwhile, Dewsbury Moor Maroons continued their good start to the year with a solid win over Shaw Cross Sharks.

The other Division Three fixtures produced wins for Eastmoor Dragons over Millom, leaders Oldham St Annes at Drighlington, Beverley fought hard to win against Hensingham and Bentley enjoyed a big win over Seaton Rangers.

NCL Results - Friday 5th May

Division One

• Thornhill Trojans 24 Oulton Raiders 28

Saturday 6th May

Premier Division

• West Hull 17 York Acorn 20
• Wath Brow Hornets 24 Rochdale Mayfield 26
• Kells 32 Wigan St Patricks 0
• Hunslet ARLFC 20 Siddal 12
• Hull Dockers 24 Lock Lane 32

Division One

• West Bowling 42 Heworth 4
• Stanningley 16 Clock Face Miners 20
• Skirlaugh 36 Featherstone Lions 30
• Division 1 Venue: Skirlaugh
• Ince Rose Bridge 6 Egremont Rangers 58

Division Two

• Woolston Rovers 34 Milford 6
• Wigan St Judes 44 Saddleworth Rangers 12
• Waterhead Warriors 44 Barrow Island 6
• Normanton Knights 46 Myton Warriors 20
• East Leeds 22 Dewsbury Celtic 48
• Dewsbury Moor Maroons 26 Shaw Cross Sharks 6

Division Three

• Eastmoor Dragons 28 Millom 22
• Leigh East 24 Ellenborough Rangers 22
• Drighlington 16 Oldham St Annes 30
• Beverley 25 Hensingham 4
• Bentley 44 Seaton Rangers 0

By Dave Parkinson