ASKAM suffered a second successive home defeat when they lost out 34-22 against Leigh East at Fallowfield Park.

Converted tries either side of the half time period dented the Villagers hopes as they went from 10-6 down to 22-6 but rallied to within six points, only for East to seal victory two minutes from full time.

East took the game to their hosts and went ahead when a counter-attack saw massive prop forward Joe Togher make inroads, with full back Kieran Prescott taking up the running before cutting back inside to dot the ball down.

This spurred the visitors on and good play enabled Togher to plunge over from short range with Adam Holland converting for 0-10.

It looked like the Villagers were in for a tough afternoon but they settled down to pull back six points when Bridle made a telling break before passing to James Wallis who was held short of the line, but quick thinking Jackson nipped in from the play the ball to score and convert.

This gave the home side some hope as they piled on the pressure only for Dave Finlayson to lose the ball in trying to cross the whitewash.

East stretched their lead on 39 minutes with good work from Togher taking play deep into Askam territory from where a neat flick pass from Prescott saw Nathan Gaskell in at the corner for Holland to convert.

Scoring first in the second half was vital for the home side but it was East who added to their tally on 43 minutes as quick hands enabled Alex McPolin to go in at the corner, once more Holland adding the goal from the touchline.

Askam had it all to do but stuck to the task with a long ball from Wallis sending Todd Steel in at the corner.

Though East were good in attack their defence was suspect at times and they conceded a further try to the home side after Louis Else was in the bin.

Kier Shepherd took on the cover sending Atkinson into space and Shepherd was on hand to score with Jackson adding the extra two for 16-22.

Will Ludow then went in for East but Holland was on target for them from out wide to widen the gap to 16-28.

Askam didn’t go quietly, however, and after a stab through, Sam Broadley was on hand to put the ball down, Shepherd converting.

As the clock ticked down, East’s Ellis Noon was sin binned for a trip but a great opportunity to level was ended when Wallis dropped the ball 10 yards out.

East then moved downfield to finally secure the two points with a try from Else, converted by Holland.

Roose Pioneers went down 41-20 with a depleted side at Cadishead Rhinos in the NWML Trophy tie. Their tries came from Euan James, Bailie Kershaw and Glen Phillips who added four goals.

Ulverston’s tie at Haydock and Millom’s Conference opener at Waterhead Warriors were victims of the weather.