NEW BRIGHTON were cursing their luck when they were denied an injury-time try which would have swung the balance in their National Three North League game at Kendal.

Anthony Birley was pulled back for an alleged forward pass and Kendal hung on 30-26.

Birley was awarded a first-half touch down. Ian Murray went in later and Birley hit four penalties and two conversions.

Chester took the North One derby at Birkenhead Park 33-19. Park led 19-13 at the halfway stage but Chester turned the match with 13 points in a 10-minute spell after the interval when Park had Ben O'Rourke in the sin bin.

Ben Foden, Richard Hughes and Gareth Sanger went in for the winners. There was also a penalty try with Murray King managing three penalties and two conversions.

Ian Kennedy, Marc Harris and Jon Shudall crossed for Park and Kennedy goaled twice.

Caldy in North Two maintained winning form 24-20 at Broughton Park, while Wirral enjoyed a 24-11 victory over Leigh in South Lancashire/Cheshire One.

Shaun Kay crossed twice and Tim Hodson and Ian White once each. White and Jim Yarrington managed conversions and Leigh had to settle for one try and a brace of penalties.

Anselmians finished 22-10 to the good at home to Southport. Scott Tunna crossed twice and there were debut tries for Paul Johnson and Anthony Evans. Nick Williams added one goal.

Warrington lost 46-25 at Wilmslow. St Edwards won 18-12 at Ruskin Park in Division Two despite being down to 14 men for most of the second period when Carl Lee was sent off for his second yellow card. Ian Farrar and Phil McKee breached the Park defence. Martin McGeough landed a penalty and a conversion and Kris Farrell a drop goal.

Hoylake came away 32-24 to the good from Sandbach. There were two tries each for Martin Williams and Simon Kearsley. Steve Young also went in and Simon Robinson targeted two conversions and a penalty.

Oldershaw lost 9-8 at home to Crewe and Nantwich who gained a trio of penalties. Mike Chapman hit one and Stu Harrison touched down.

Ormskirk played out a thrilling 21-21 draw against Dukinfield but Ellesmere Port lost 12-16 at home to Orrell Anvils.

Wallasey fell 10-13 at Halton in Division Three. Dave Hall hit a penalty and converted a Simon Kirby try. A late Wallasey penalty was ruled out in controversial fashion after a disagreement between the touch judges.

It was better for Prenton who saw off Newton Le Willows 36-12. Tries were credited to Terry Bradford, Dave Webb, Dan Smout, Craig Elkerton and Gary Fisher.

Collegiate just missed out 18-20 at Runcorn.

A Division Four derby went to Parkonians 27-3 against Port Sunlight, Moss-ley Hill went under 6-25 at home to Sale Amateurs, while St Mary's found winning form 23-12 against Oswestry. Other scores included Capenhurst 15 Holmes Chapel 16 and Helsby 38 Linley and Kidsgrove 25.

In the Thwaites Cheshire Cup, Anselmians booked a home quarter-final against Chester after seeing off Wilmslow 35-27. Graham Poole (2), Martin Pilgrim, Chris McCullough and Peter Collins scored tries and Chris Wells two conversions and a couple of penalties.