LEIGH EAST ARLFC

Leigh East’s dream of finishing the season with a treble was dashed by Queens of Leeds in the BARLA National Cup Final at a rainy Fylde Rugby Club on Saturday.
Playing their thirty eighth game of the season and with the National League Titles already in their hands East certainly looked favourites for another trophy. Although played in driving rain and gusty winds the teams treated the travelling supporters to a classic game of rugby league.

As expected Queens came out of the blocks at whirlwind speed but were unable to break down the East defensive line in a thirty minute assault. Easts forwards, Lee Rowley, Craig Wingfield, Craig Millington, Gary Middlehurst, Danny Kilshaw, Simon Stevens, Carl Mort, John Walker and the evergreen veteran Brett Longstaffe held Queens at bay.
As their opponents began to tire, East made a rare attack on the half hour and came away with a Danny Kilshaw try goal to go in with a six point lead at the break. As the half finished it looked like the Leeds outfit were out on their feet, so much possession with a strong wind at their backs without reward, it didn’t look good for them in the second half.
The second half started with East in total control with Kilshaw and Peters guiding the team around the paddock, only stubborn defence from Queens preventing further scores. On the fiftieth minute Kilshaw had to leave the game with a broken arm, Adam Holland stepping in to fill the gap.
Following back to back penalties Queens finaly got a result on 58 minutes for their hard work when a Jonathan Milner kick into the in goal saw the ball ricochet before centre Steve Morton grounded the ball for a try, although it appeared that Gareth Pemberton had already touched down for East.
A drop goal by Holland four minutes later gave East a three point advantage but with ten minutes remaining Milner again put a precision kick into the corner for Ryan Walker to score, Milner adding the extras from the touch line, before adding a drop goal with only five minutes remaining to give Queens a four point lead at 7-11.
East knew that all out attack was required as they looked to level the scores and force extra time or possibly win the game but were undone when winger Simon Cook intercepted to sprint sixty metres for the deciding try, converted by Milner with only minutes remaining there was no way back for East as the game ended 7-17 to Queens.