ASKAM ran out convincing 34-10 winners against a strong Leigh East side in National Conference Division Two at Fallowfield Park.

Easts started the game strongly and pressurised the home line with bright open rugby, taking a 6-0 lead and it looked like the Villagers were going to be in for tough afternoon.

However, the hosts dug deep and took a grip of the game to pull off a fine victory before a healthy crowd on a cold afternoon.

Leigh took the game to their hosts with a flowing move involving several players, which resulted in winger Josh Adudwummog halted a foot short of the line.

The attacks continued and on five minutes they were ahead. Hard-working prop Dean Balmer took play deep and the ball moved to stand-off Adam Holland, who danced his way through the cover to score with ease. Tom Worthington added the goal for 6-0.

The home side responded within three minutes when swift handling from right to left saw Jonathan Walsh crash over in the corner. Kris Tyson was wide at goal.

Both sides settled down and play went from one end to the other.

A Leigh attack broke down with a forward pass from Balmer to Holland before the home side were awarded two successive penalties and pressed the East line. The move almost produced a try, however Tom Wilkinson’s pass for Kris Tyson was palmed down by a defender.

Askam took the lead they were not to surrender on 18 minutes as a neat ball from Mark Tyson sent Tom Butler over the whitewash. Kris Tyson added the extra two.

Leigh came back strong and it took a timely Tom Butler tackle to prevent scrum half Ihake Watene crossing.

The home lead was extended to 16-6 with a brilliant try. The ball moved right to left, coming back o Darren Gaskell for the try. Kris Tyson kicked the conversion.

Undeterred, Leigh once more came back with determination. Holland was stopped short of the line following a strong burst from Steve Tooze and the attack continued, only for Dan Sayle to intercept.

Askam were defending strongly as Leigh piled on the pressure, only for Balmer to lose the ball in the tackle inches short.

The home side survived and another raid followed as Holland stabbed the ball forward, only for Sayle to gather. He parted to Barry Pugh, who darted up-field, covering 35 yards before being hauled down.

As the half came to a close, Gaskell crossed for his second, with Kris Tyson’s goal making it 22-6.

Leigh started the second period in attack as substitute Andy Ball raced clear, but Gary and Russ Bolton were on hand to halt further progress. Following a team warning for persistent offending, East were down to 12 men with Sam Grainey sin-binned for ripping the ball out in the tackle.

From the tap, Askam moved downfield which resulted in Tom Hopkins going close to scoring. Sayle was upended in a tackle and Tyson slotted a penalty for 24-6.

Leigh pulled back four points on 65 minutes, when Curtis Littlewood crossed in the corner.

Askam came close to replying, only for Joe Dowsett to be held up over the line.

Following two good drives from Rob Cockayne, the home side increased their lead when Jackson’s long ball enabled Kris Tyson to touchdown in the corner for 28-10.

To seal a great victory, Cockayne split open the East defence and Gary Bolton came through like an express train to take the pass and crash over. Kris Tyson closed the scoring with the conversion.

The Askam line up included four sets of brothers for the second week in succession – Russ and Gary Bolton, Kris and Mary Tyson, Jamie and Tom Butler and Joe and Sam Dowsett.

In Division One, Millom remain pointless following their 44-26 home defeat at the hands of Hunslet Warriors.

In the Cumbria League, Walney were 22-16 winners at Glasson. The hosts took a 6-0 lead through a Dan Fryer try and Sean Mumberson goal. Walney drew level with a try from Brad Nicholls and a Connor Pearce goal and Jamie Morrow edged them ahead with a try converted by Pearce prior to Johnny Goulding crossing for the home side.

A Jamie Morrow try and Pearce goal made it 18-10, before Glasson narrowed the gap by two points with Goulding’s second try converted by Mumberson. James Finch sealed the win with a late unconverted try.

Leaders Distington were 44-6 victors at Hensingham.

Three Cumbria Cup ties failed to take place. Maryport conceded their tie with Seaton, as did Wath Brow against Ulverston and Roose Pioneers to Ellenborough.

In the semi-finals on May 7, Ulverston go to Barrow Island, while Walney entertain Seaton.

In North West Men’s Division One, Hindpool lost 30-10 at Chorley. Lee Boyd and Scott Douglas crossed for tries, with Grant Burns adding a goal.

In the Barrow and District League, Askam defeated Barrow Island 52-10. Villagers tries came from Chris Vanstone, Jack Cairns, Dave Finlayson (2), Gareth Richards, Sam Broadley, Rob Blythe (2) and Brad Jackson, who added eight goals.

For the Island, Aaron Palmer and James Wilkes crossed for tries, with Jake Carter adding a goal.

At Dragley Beck, Ulverston defeated Dalton 56-20.