East start with an easy win (From Leigh Journal)

East start with an easy win

11:39am Thursday 19th January 2012 in Sport

LEIGH East started their 2012 campaign with a comfortable 60-16 defeat of Rylands Sharks in the BARLA National Cup first round.

Under the new coaching team of Gary Grainey, Paul Anderson and John Taylor, East included a few close-season signings in James Otutaha (centre), Adam Thomas (second row), Ryan O’Toole (prop) and Greg Evans (prop).

A few youngsters also marked their move from under 18s to open age, with Nicky Ratcliffe appearing at hooker, Sam Grainey in the second row and and Connor Johnson at hooker.

East registered seven first-half tries and four conversions, with centre Gavin Hunter bagging a hat-trick against the North West Couunties Division One side from Warrington.

Within minutes of the restart Danny Kilshaw added to his first-half brace to also complete his hat-trick.

Following the switch of the majority of the amateur game to summer, only five NCL teams entered this year’s competition - Leigh East, Siddal, Hull Dockers, Ovenden and Shaw Cross Sharks.

Only Siddal joined East in surviving the first round and they have been drawn against each other in the second round on Saturday, February 11 at Ledgard Avenue.

That will probably be the best pre-season preparation possible - two of the strongest amateur teams of recent years going head-to-head in a full competitive game just three weeks before the historic new league season kicks off on March 3.

East continue their preparations with a friendly tomorrow, Friday, when they welcome Championship Two newcomers North Wales Crusaders to Ledgard Avenue, kick off 7.30pm. Admission will be £2.50.