CHESTER enjoyed an extra-time success over Tongan seven The Islanders to lift the Plate competition at the 62nd Caldy Sevens last weekend.

Nick O'Shea grabbed the vital sudden-death touchdown. Earlier, Chester had fought back in the closing moments from 17-31 down to level it out at 31-31.

Simon Verbickas (2), Tom Foden, Jim Lyle and Martin Clarke were the others to cross for Chester and there were three successful kicks.

The Bowl competition was won by Wallasey 36-24 against Oldershaw, tries from Mitchell Hulme, Sean Ellis, Greg Hughes, Dave Hall and Will Daniels with three conversions and a penalty.

It was virtually a one-horse race in the main event as Sale lifted the Okell Shield for a third successive year.

They were far too quick and powerful for their opponents and conceded only two tries in the knockout stages as they chalked up 123 points in three games

In the final they swept aside Fijian line-up Slashers, from the Royal Gloucester, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment, by a 47-5 margin, which was a major surprise against the Army champions who had carried off the Wooton Bassett Sevens a few days earlier.

They scored seven tries in all through Oliver Viney (2), Richard Wigglesworth (2), Mark Simpson Daniel, John Payne and Sean Cox plus five conversions.

Joe Sakure gained a consolation touchdown for the losers.

Sale, in their semi, whipped Orrell 38-7 after seeing off the Rockstars 38-0 in the quarters.

The Slashers, in the penultimate stage, proved too strong for WMD (Bristol University), 28-12, after a 35-5 win at the expense of Wirral in the last eight. nNew Brighton lifted the Thwaites Cheshire Cup on Monday with a 25-18 win against Macclesfield at Capenhurst.

They had lost twice to their East Cheshire rivals in National Three North League during the season, but the odds swung in their favour as Macclesfield, after losing a promotion play-off game on Saturday, fielded virtually their second team.

It was still a very close-run thing with Macclesfield keeping in touch thanks to half a dozen penalties by Mike Newell.

Kati Tuipulotu and Stephen Ashcroft gained first-half tries for the Blues and Anthony Birley a conversion. Birley had two penalties after the break.

Extra time looked certain but Macclesfield had a clearance charged down and Alistair Child got in at the corner, Birley converting with the final kick.

The Thwaites Cheshire Plate was won for the first time by Northwich, who beat Parkonians 26-6.