ROB Massam capped his maiden England Lionhearts call-up with a hat-trick of tries as Chester Gladiators stormed to a 46-24 success at home to Blackpool Sea Eagles on Saturday to go top of the Co-operative Conference North West Regional standings.

The centre’s inclusion in the Lionhearts squad – which consists of the best players from the Rugby League Conference – is the first time a Chester player has won international recognition and underlines the rapid progress the two-year-old club is making.

Player-coach Dec Foy, fresh from his return from injury, set the hosts on their way against the Eagles with a close-range effort before Ash Owen restored their lead after the visitors hit back with a converted try.

Massam went over next before youngsters Alec Read and Adam Pierpoint – the latter making his first appearance of the season – put the Gladiators 20-6 in front at the break.

Massam added tries two and three after the restart before Andy Vaughan showed plenty of pace to cross the whitewash and open up a 28-point advantage.

The Eagles hit back to reduce the deficit to just 10 points but second tries of the game for man-of-the-match Foy and Owen killed the contest.

Damon Williams added three conversions for Chester, who welcome Mancunians RL to Hare Lane on Saturday for a big top-of-the-table clash (2.30pm).