LEIGH East earned the respect of everyone in the 30-6 defeat at Hull Dockers despite a seventh consecutive loss.

The hosts decided this contest thanks to two scoring bursts at either end of the first half.

East conceded early when burly second row Joe Hill supported play on the left. Richard Squires added the first of three goals to make it 6-0.

Veteran Craig Cook went under the sticks two minutes later for Squires to goal and when Sam Bowering regathered it was 16-0.

East rallied with Ryan Gray and skipper Adam Holland hauled down close to the line. Jamie Waters, Ryan Holcroft and Joe Connor also took the game to their opponents before they pulled away again before half time.

First Bowering finished from 50 metres, then fullback Daniel Suddaby supported a Cook break on the blindside. Cook showed his quality again to cross on the right for his second try and East were trailing 30-0.

Half-time seemed to galvanise the side and a much improved effort in the second half brought some of the most controlled rugby of the season from East. They dominated field position with only good defence keeping them at bay. Holland was eventually rewarded for persistence with a 67th minute try after twice kicking on. He also converted to add further respectability. Leigh East continued their tenacious approach with big efforts from the likes of Zac Nicholls and Jordan Hutchison, and deservedly won the second half 6-0.