East Leeds returned to the Premier Division after National League Division One Grand Final victory over Oulton Raiders.
The two derby rivals were outsiders to reach the final, finishing fourth and sixth respectively in the division but after upset victories, deservedly took their place at Wakefield.
East Leeds had the first opportunity when a kick to the corner just evaded diving winger Shane Plunkett.
Oulton however, struck first after Matty Stableford was held up over the line, when an arcing run, and some nifty footwork, ducking a high challenge, saw fullback Joe Horan cross.
Oulton had the better of field position and stretched their advantage in the twelfth minute when Archie Craggs struck a penalty after Ryan Wooffitt stole the ball from Ben Brady.
Four minutes later, East Leeds responded when Luke Littlewood crossed on the right after the spine linked up. His conversion off the posts drew the game level.
Ajay Wilson had a score disallowed when he was ruled offside, however, Oulton moved down the other end and forced some more pressure, which East Leeds absorbed well.
Oulton were caught offside in the 33rd minute and Littlewood added the penalty at the side of the posts.
East Leeds were able to extend their advantage further before half-time when stand-off David Gibbons took on the line and bounced through an attempted challenge before hurtling under the posts. Littlewood's third goal made it 14-6 to East Leeds at half-time.
The second half started well for Oulton and a superb pass from Stableford brought an early try for Brady. Craggs couldn't goal but at 14-10, it was close.
Sensing the tight contest, when East Leeds were handed a penalty after Jake Walker was fouled, Littlewood converted to make it 16-10. East Leeds halfback Owen Hughes slipped through the middle before the hour mark, but his pass left couldn't find support.
Into the last ten minutes, and East Leeds were awarded a further penalty in kicking range when Gibbons was hit after passing the ball, and Littlewood clipped his fifth goal over. Plunkett was then tackled in touch as he flew down the left.
In the 75th minute, East Leeds launched a raid from just inside the Oulton half. Gibbons kicked over the top of the advancing defence, Littlewood carried forward and Wooffitt crossed in support to spark scenes of jubilation. There was still just enough time near the end for Littlewood to crown his man-of-the-match, fifteen-point performance with a drop goal to seal East's rise to the Premier Division.
It was a fitting end to a compelling Division One race that also sees Dewsbury Celtic go up as League leaders.
East Leeds: Luke Littlewood, Ajay Wilson, Kieden Hartley, James Duckworth, Shane Plunkett; David Gibbons, Owen Hughes; Roy Railton, Alfie Crawford, Jake Walker, Isaac Coleman, Ryan Wooffitt, Kane Riley. Subs: David Kamano, Patrick O'Donovan, Luke Mullen, Nehemah Mensah.
Tries: Littlewood (16), Gibbons (39), Wooffitt (76)
Goals: Littlewood 5/6
Drop goal: Littlewood (81)
Oulton Raiders: Joe Horan, Alfie Hawkhead, Adrian Holdsworth, Bailey Metcalfe, Noah Crawshaw; Noah Kershaw, Archie Craggs; Tom Lunn, Kian Watson, Matty Stableford, Nathan Waring, Ben Brady, Charlie Tetley. Subs: Tom Greensmith, Joe Edmiston, Jacob Rotherham, Tom Stevens.
Tries: Horan (4), Brady (42)
Goals: Craggs 1/3
Full-time: East Leeds 23 Oulton Raiders 10
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: Shot by Bamboo
