Chester Gladiators junior sides kicked off the 2016 season at the weekend with hugely encouraging performances from the club’s new under-7s and under-11s teams.
With the first-team not in action and the games involving the A team, the under-8s and under-9s being called off, two matches managed to beat the wet weather.
The U7s welcome St Helens-based Clock Face Miners to The Cheshire County Sports Club and displayed true grit on a pitch that turned into a mudbath.
The Gladiators team, which included only one player with previous match experience, dug deep and battled through the elements, producing some excellent defence.
Taylor Cain, Rhys Baynham-Hughes and Joseph Kearns got stuck into the attack while Issac Perritt, Conrad Stevenson and William Mallon organised the defensive line well.
With ball in hand, Adam Heaps made a series of strong carries with excellent support from Ewan Devany and Oliver Doyle. The highlight of the game came in the final quarter when Thomas Davies crossed the whitewash for his first try.
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Meanwhile, the U11s travelled to Widnes Moorfield and coach Kellum Friday was delighted with the efforts of players, who went down 34-30 in a close run contest.
There were encouraging displays from new boys Alex Moss, Henry Boakes, Owen Davies and Niall Hagan, solid defensive efforts from Charlie Haslam, Joel Hogarth and Zach Brookes with Matthew Morris, Orson O’Rorke and Tamati Friday leading the attack.
Chester Gladiators seniors start the new North West Men’s League season this weekend. The first-team take on Burtonwood Bridge at Deeside Leisure Centre in Division Three on Saturday and the A team visit Liverpool Lions in Division Five.
