Leigh East 22 Woolston Rovers 16

“POOR handling and silly decision-making” cost Woolston Rovers dearly as they slipped to their first National Conference League Division Three loss of the season.

Having opened the scoring when Justin Becker’s break resulted in Lewis Hoarty crossing in the corner, Rovers found themselves adrift at half-time as two converted Daniel Griffiths tries and a brace of Adam Holland penalties put Leigh East in control.

Callum Moore scored out wide to put Woolston back in the game after the interval but Harry Files’ sin-binning for dissent proved costly as Ellis Noon scored the decisive try for the hosts while Rovers were down to 12 men.

Moore put substitute Alex Smith through a gap to score a minute from time, but it was too little too late for Rovers.

“It was a disappointing result and the simple explanation was we were not at our fluent best,” head coach Mal Holt said.

“We played well in patches but gave up a lot of possession due to poor handling and silly decision-making.

“I can't fault their energy and commitment, but we need to make sure that this was a one-off and bounce back next week.

Luckily, other results went in our favour so we didn't lose any ground on the teams above us.”

Woolston: Theo Holt; Jack Holt, Justin Becker, Lewis Hoarty, Christian Taylor; Aaron Barber, Ryan Brown; Ryan Hickman, Harry Files, Sam Roberts, Dan Fearnley, Josh Sudlow, Kieran Moore. Subs: Callum Moore, John Welch, Sean Withington, Alex Smith.

Woolston Rovers A 44 Roose Pioneers 20

A RED-HOT 60 minutes proved decisive for Woolston Rovers A as they returned from an enforced two-week break from action in style.

Jack Sherratt and Will Chadwick scored two tries each at Monks Sports Club, with Liam Sullivan adding a try and six conversions.

Niall Toher, Jimmy Evans and Josh Bray also crossed as Woolston built up a 44-6 lead before a late fightback from the visitors added respectability to the scoreline.

“I thought we were exceptional for the first hour and scored some fantastic tries as well and being very good in defence to repel them,” Rovers A coach Andy Penny said.

“We switched off a little in the final quarter and allowed Roose to score three further tries which was a little disappointing, but we got the two league points so I am very happy with that.

“The forwards really dominated and put us on the front foot for long periods and that allowed our back to take full advantage.”

Woolston A: Liam Sullivan; Alex Dunne, Jimmy Evans, Jack Inman, Dominic Walker; Will Chadwick, Lewis Porter; Jack Sherratt, Elliott Best, Ben Moore, Niall Toher, Simon Bishop, Mike Ward. Subs: Louis Griffiths, Josh Bray, Louis Nixon, Tom Woodward.