LEIGH East hosted Hindley for a pre-season friendly and managed to overturn a 0-16 deficit to eventually win a close competitive game at Ledgard Avenue.

It was the visitors who made the perfect opening when wing Connor Law and loose forward Lewis Thornhill scored in the first twelve minutes. Hindley then scored a third try after 24 minutes through Joe Heaton and two Chris Scarborough goals made it 0-16. East roared back and Cobyn Fletcher got their first try after 27 minutes, goaled by Jordan Hellam.

That was how it remained until half-time.

Early in the second period, East began to make more of an impact although it took until the 56th minute for it to show on the scoreboard. Connor Johnson broke the deadlock, breaking through to touch down with Hellam again on target with the boot. Minutes later the returning Ryan Barnes, back from a stint with Widnes Vikings levelled the game with a try and Hellam's conversion put the hosts in front for the first time.

At 18-16, Leigh East were playing some good rugby and moved eight points clear ten minutes from time thanks to a fourth try from Connor Grainey. Jordan Hellam maintained his hundred percent record with his fourth goal.

There was still enough time remaining for Law to have the final word for Hindley, scoring his second try with Scarborough kicking his third goal, but it wasn't quite enough and Leigh East held out.

East Head Coach Martin Roden said, "We were good in patches after a poor first half."