Rylands Sharks A 20 Chester Gladiators 26

RYLANDS’ second string put in one of their best performances of the season to push North West Men’s League Division Four table toppers Chester all the way in a feisty encounter.

In a tight first half dominated by defence, both sides found it difficult to create chances resulting in a dour first thirty minutes not helped by a whistle happy referee.

It was left to Chester to break the deadlock when half back Ben Stelmaszek crossed the Sharks line to score with Aled Davies adding the extras with less than ten minutes remaining until the half time hooter.

Five minutes later the hosts levelled the tie when Aaron Holliday produced a great finish to score out wide with Hayden Gahgan adding the conversion.

The second stanza provided a more open contest as both sides toiled in the heat, with the visitors regaining the lead with a try from Joel Gibbs converted by Davies, quickly answered by a second try for Rylands’ Holliday to keep the Sharks within touching distance.

The Gladiators then hit a purple patch scoring three tries in five minutes through a second for Gibbs and two for Chris Jones with Davies adding a conversion.

The contest seemed to be over but the Sharks showed great spirit to hit back with two late tries from Luke Walker and Kyle Cherrett, with Gahgan adding a conversion to set up a grandstand finish.

But Rylands’ efforts were to no avail as the referee blew for full time with the visitors under the cosh.