Askam 24 Leigh East 22

ASKAM secured their National Conference Division Two status with victory over promotion-chasing Leigh East at Fallowfield Park.

The Villagers completed their home programme in style, despite being forced to bring in a number of players who had featured for the A-team in the Barrow and District Top Four Final less than 24 hours before.

Late withdrawals for work commitments, holidays and injuries hit the Villagers hard, but everyone played their part in a great team effort.

The visitors started the quicker, racing into an eight-point lead after only eight minutes by scoring two unconverted tries through winger Josh Adodwummaa and centre Sam Grainey.

Askam reduced the deficient on 16 minutes when Russ Bolton went over for a try, converted by Adam Jackson.

East hit back with winger Jake Beaumont scoring another unconverted try, but on the half-hour Askam levelled as Bolton (below) scored his second and Jackson again converted.

Three minutes later, Jack Cairns raced over to score in the corner following a break from Jonathon Walsh. Jackson was on target once again to give the home side the lead for the first time at 18-12.

On the stroke of half time, the hosts were awarded a penalty which Jackson converted for an eight-point advantage.

Askam increased their lead after the restart, with Tom Hopkins powering his way over for an unconverted try.

Leigh then took over the game, scoring two tries through centre Curt Littlewood and the dangerous stand-off Adam Holland, with a conversion by Tom Worthington making it 24-22.

With ten minutes remaining, the visitors were all over their hosts, forcing four drop-outs from under their posts.

East were held up over Askam’s try line twice, and it was the valiant effort in defence from the home team which secured the two points.

Askam’s man-of-the-match award went to Jackson, but all 17 players deserved it for their never-say-die effort.