LEIGH East ended 2005 on a high with a third successive win which, while not taking them out of danger, at least gives them the incentive for a last big push in the new year.

Yet, typical of this season, they made hard work of this victory over a St Judes side that now looks certain of the drop.

East looked nothing like the side that had beaten high flying Oulton the previous weekend and, until a second half revival inspired by Kilshaw and Molyneaux, looked flat, disinterested and incapable of stringing two passes together.

Young forwards Greenough and Gregson, who are providing a great grounding for the future, gave a full 80 minutes effort both defensively and on attack but East's lack of teamwork in the early stages saw them go 14-0 behind after only 18 minutes.

St Judes, who had Bithell, Corfield, Pilling and Houghton in good form, scored two tries in the first nine minutes from Corfield and Pilling with Robinson kicking three goals.

Easts first chance - and their first try - came on 24 minutes when Molyneaux and Fishwick set up the move for a finish with a flourish from Kilshaw. Fishwick, who made a notable contribution at half back, added a late penalty for a midway scoreline of 14-6 to the visitors.

The second half was a different story as East dominated play until Robinson scored an injury time consolation try for the visitors.

Kilshaw moved from centre to half back, powerful forward Fryer came on to rattle the Judes defence and when Gregson sliced through the middle, Molyneaux followed on to score. Three minutes later East took the lead for the first time when an interchange of passes between Molyneaux and the outstanding Gregson foxed St Judes for Molyneaux to score his second.

A piece of skill from Kilshaw set up a try for Fletcher and the game was as good as over but St Judes never conceded and were rewarded with Robinson's late touchdown.