Chester Gladiators sealed an historic treble at the weekend, coming back from 16-4 down to beat Manchester Rangers in the NWML Division Four Grand Final at Select Security Stadium.
The 2015 season culminated in a clash between the teams placed first and second at the end of the regular season at the home of Super League club Widnes Vikings.
Chester had already won the league leaders' shield and NWML Shield but faced a Manchester side undefeated since April and who emerged as 32-16 winners last time the sides clashed.
There was nothing to separate the sides on paper and so it proved on the pitch in a hard-fought battle that went down to the wire.
Rangers made the more impressive start and opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Nick Ryan darted over from close range for a 4-0 lead after the conversion was missed.
Mark Kingsley made a half break before putting in a kick that was a little too strong as Gladiators tried to make inroads through a resolute Manchester defence.
Chester turned the screw and got their reward on 31 minutes when the numbers game caught Rangers out and Jonny Rae went over out wide. Aled Davies could not land the conversion so the scores were tied.
Gladiators had finished the half the stronger but went into the break behind when Jacob Winstanley scampered out of dummy-half and touched down with Jordan Green slotting the extras for a 10-4 advantage.
Manchester had a dream start to the second period with Chris Allen crossing for another try four minutes after the restart and Green again converted to leave the Gladiators behind 16-4 and with a lot of work to do.
Chester needed an instant response and got one when Kingsley went to the line and darted a pass to Rae to score his second of the afternoon in the corner. Davies curled the touchline conversion between the posts to bring them within six points.
Gladiators took great confidence from that and crossed again in the 52nd minute through replacement Tom Roberts, although with Davies now off the field with knee ligament damage, Billy Brickhill couldn't convert and Manchester held a slender 16-14 lead.
Chester now sensed the game was within their grasp and hit the front for the first time on 61 minutes when Kingsley put up a cross-field kick and back-rower Joe Hickey climbed highest to pull the ball down and score. Brickhill's conversion gave his side a 20-16 lead with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Rangers desperately tried to get back on terms but despite having their fair share of possession, Manchester found the Gladiators defence unwilling to be breached and as time elapsed, Chester celebrated a courageous win and third trophy of a remarkable season for the club.
