Piston + strongly powered blocks picking up signal only in specific directions.

I was trying to do something like this:
(P = sticky piston, B = block, L = lever, R = repeater)

L R B P B
B B P B B

This works, if the first piston (the 1 tick limiter) faces north or south. Else, it does not work.

This is inconsistent, and not very useful. I have attached some pictures of it happening.