Chester Gladiators 24 Crosfields 30

TWO tries in the final 10 minutes condemned the Gladiators to a narrow defeat following a hard-fought encounter.

Both sides played attractive rugby and provided strong defence in a see-saw clash which could have gone either way.

Prop Andy Hill opened the scoring for Chester in the seventh minute thanks to some smart footwork.

Simon Quinn converted but Crosfields hit back on 15 minutes to level matters.

The hosts were back in front on 23 minutes when Quinn showed great athleticism to dive over in the corner.

Quinn’s conversion was off target, however, and the visitors took the lead for the first time in the game five minutes later before they crossed again to go 16-10 ahead.

With half-time approaching, Gladiators centre Chris Maloney burst on to a short ball from Josh Grant to race 20 metres and touch down.

Quinn missed his conversion attempt but he regained his composure shortly after the restart after winger Mark Hanson had scored under the posts.

Leading 20-16, Chester were pegged back in the 50th minute by their Warrington opponents.

Parity remained until late on when Crosfields notched a quickfire double to put 10 points between the teams.

Hooker Dan Rowett grabbed a consolation for the Gladiators on the stroke of full-time but by then it was too little, too late.

Quinn, Hill and loose forward Steve Threlfall starred for Chester, who welcome Woolston Rovers to Clifton Drive tomorrow (Friday). Kick-off is 6.30pm.