Chester RUFC were punished for a slow start as play-off chasing Leicester Lions inflicted a 19-14 defeat, leaving them 10th in National League Two North.
Leicester, who had won four on the bounce before losing at Sedgley Park the previous week, are unbeaten at home this term and got off to a dream start with tries from Benjamin Spokes and Devon Constant giving them a 12-0 advantage.
The Lions, who have now won 11 from 12 matches at Westleigh Park, held that lead until half-time but Llion Jones crossed following the restart to get Chester on the board.
Samuel Benjamin went over for a third Lions score to keep the hosts in charge but Rhys Hayes continued his impressive run of form as he dotted down for the visitors with seven minutes to go, closing within five points but Leicester held on.
Chester’s frustrating and inconsistent campaign continues but the Hare Lane outfit now have a week off to recharge ahead of a home game with basement side Huddersfield on March 5.
Defeat for Helsby in top-of-the-table thriller
Helsby lost out 11-8 to title rivals Winnington Park 3rds in a thrilling battle in Division Five South. Despite torrential rain, a large crowd turned out to watch the top two go head-to-head and it was Park who had the better of the first-half with the hosts struggling to build pressure as the visitors went into the break with an 8-3 lead.
Helsby had been second best but improved after the restart and when Stan Garner crossed for a deserved try with 10 minutes to go, the score was 11-8 to Winnington and the game looked there for the taking.
The hosts pushed hard in the closing stages but Park somehow held on for a win to take the initiative in the the championship race.
Devas suffer narrow loss despite outstanding defence
Chester Devas defended well in awful conditions at Halifax but the hosts claimed a 10-0 victory in a low-scoring contest in National Challenge North One.
Chester ran out 24-0 winners when the sides met earlier in the season but, as has been the norm on the road in recent months, strong winds, horizontal rain and a muddy pitch greeted them in West Yorkshire.
The Devas produced some solid defensive rugby in the first-half with Halifax’s game-plan to retain the ball with the forwards and starve the visitors of possession. That approach worked for the home side and a rising penalty count at the breakdown increased the pressure on Chester but the defence held firm.
When they finally got their hands on the ball, the Devas looked to move it wide and one such foray led to Claire Taylor running in to touch down, but the referee ruled Lauren Sargeant’s pass forward and the score was chalked off as the half ended in a stalemate.
Halifax began to gain momentum as the second-half wore on and a run of penalties and a sin-binning for Chester’s Ellie Magee led to them finding a breakthrough with an unconverted score after nine phases.
The Devas freshened things up for the closing stages but despite yet more determined defence the hosts found a second unconverted try to take the spoils. Chester’s next game sees them welcome Ormskirk to Hare Lane on March 6.
Abbey Gate celebrate sevens success
Abbey Gate College rugby sevens squad battled their way through the under-11s North Rugby Tournament, beating six other teams to take the title of champions.
Beating home side Hipperholme Grammar Junior School in Halifax amongst other sides, the team faced Greenbank School in Cheadle in the final to bring the trophy home.
