Sheffield 23 Chester 29: CHESTER staged an incredible comeback to claim victory at struggling Sheffield in North One League.

They trailed 23-0 after 30 minutes following the home side's whirlwind start which produced three tries, two penalties and a conversion.

The Hare Lane men were then stung into action just after the half-hour mark. Patient build-up and clever interchanges between forwards and backs forced Sheffield back, and on 32 minutes Chester were awarded a penalty try. The extras were duly converted by Simon Verbickas to make the score 23-7.

Straight from the kick-off Chester were back at it, forcing their way upfield with patient phases of clever rugby. They were awarded a scrum eight metres out and the powerful Chester pack shunted the Sheffield scrum over their own line for the impressive Matt Sheen to score his eighth try in as many games this season.

In the second half, centres Matt Lloyd and Neil Parsley were buzzing with powerful runs, linking up with the back row.

Full-back Verbickas, who was entering the line at pace causing Sheffield all sorts of problems, ably assisted them.

But it was the forwards who were now well on top and were driving the home side back at some rate.

On 51 minutes Chester were awarded a penalty, which Verbickas drilled to the corner some 15 metres out. The ball was thrown into a creative lineout and the forwards gathered and drove the Sheffield pack back over their own line at pace.

Livewire Gavin Taylor was credited with the try and Verbickas kicked the conversion to close the gap to four.

Chester were again back at it straight away and now the home side were reverting to spoiling tactics as they were unable to gain possession. And even when they did, the Chester defence turned the ball over with ease. The visitors were awarded a penalty 35 metres out which Verbickas slotted over on 64 minutes, making the score 23-22 to Sheffield.

Almost immediately, Verbickas drilled the ball downfield into touch for a lineout.

The ball was then quickly recycled to the rampaging Jason Goulding, who stood the ball up for a Chester maul which galloped over the line with great power to take the visitors ahead. Verbickas again added the extras and with no further scoring Chester ran out improbable winners by six points.

The Walker Smith Way MoM went to the front row collectively for a powerful and passionate performance.

Director of Rugby Steve Dorrington said: 'Yes, we are in the entertainment business but this one has probably taken at least five years off my life expectancy.

'The comeback demonstrates the spirit and will to win in the side. If we play like we played in the last 50 minutes of the game, no side in this league will be able to cope.'

Chester Ladies U17 19 North Wales Ladies U17 5: Chester were under the cosh for the first 10 minutes but good hands from the backs set up Meg Tudor to run on to score, giving the home side the lead. Leni Smith then converted for a 7-0 scoreline.

Straight from the kick-off, Rici Brown collected the ball for Chester and ran half the length of the pitch to score under the posts. Again Smith was on hand to convert for the perfect start.

A good spell of pressure from North Wales eventually resulted in Sarah Bailey breaking free to bag the visitors' first points.

Tess Gardner then made a great break for the line for Chester but was unfairly halted five metres short. From the resulting penalty, Smith crashed over the line to score Chester's third try for a 19-5 half-time lead.

In a quiet second period there was no addition to the scoreline. North Wales finished with good running from the backs but Chester tackled until the end and hung on comfortably for the win.

The Ladies are at Dolgellau on Sunday in their final game before Christmas.

Winnington Park 2nds 28 Helsby 33:

Helsby overcame the odds to come away with a well-deserved victory over a strong Winnington Park side.

Helsby were shocked early on when the home side scored following a break from a scrum. Things got worse when they were reduced to 14 men after their second row Smith had to leave the field.

The home side scored a second try when they used their advantage in the scrum to score a pushover try. Helsby got themselves back in the game when Jimmy Walker went over for a try following a quick tap penalty move, with John Williams converting.

Winnington Park again used their advantage up front to score close to half-time to make the score 21-7.

A stirring half-time team talk seemed to do the trick for Helsby when, within two minutes of the restart, Williams powered through to score with the same player converting.

Helsby brought themselves right back into the game when winger Chris McKean crossed following good hands along the back line, after the visitors took the lead for the first time when Williams worked a clever switch move with Bob Merrill to score his second touchdown.

The best was yet to come as Helsby's backs worked an excellent play to put centre Mark Wakefield through a gap to cross with Williams again converting.

Winnington did score near the end but it proved to be mere consolation against a very committed Helsby side.

Frodsham Tandoori MoM was stand-off Merrill for his excellent distribution and vision.

Helsby are at home against title rivals Merseyside Police tomorrow.