Centre Jonny Rae scored four tries as Chester Gladiators beat Runcorn to move within one win on a league and cup double.

Runcorn proved a tougher than anticipated nut to crack at the Cheshire County Sports Club but the Gladiators prevailed 38-26 and can secure the North West Men’s League Division Four title this weekend.

Chester were slow to find their stride and found themselves behind with 15 minutes gone as Runcorn slotted over a penalty.

Gladiators settled down and went 6-2 ahead when Tom Roberts took a pass from Joe Hickey to score out wide with Aled Davies landing the conversion.

Runcorn were making a real fist of things and a converted score gave them the lead once again, however three tries in quick succession put the hosts in command.

Mark Kingsley danced underneath the posts, Rae crossed on the left for his first and then doubled his account following a smart Tom Woods pass with Davies adding two conversions to give the Gladiators a 22-8 lead at the turnaround.

Chester extended the advantage at the start of the second period when Billy Brickhill released Rae for his hat-trick.

However, the visitors hit back with two tries to close to within eight points and sensed the comeback was very much on.

Chester needed to respond and did so, Davies skipping around the defence to increase the lead to 32-20 and when Rae claimed his fourth of the game, the win was sealed although Runcorn had the final word with a converted score on the full-time whistle.

Chester travel to Bury Broncos on Saturday where a win will clinch the title.