First Team
Matches
Sat 02 Aug 2008
Chester Gladiators RLFC
First Team
66
14
Wolverhampton Warlords
Gladiators dominate Warlords

Gladiators dominate Warlords

Jim Green18 Nov 2008 - 10:07
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Chester Gladiators rounded off their season with a convincing and impressive victory over Wolverhampton Warlords at a warm and sun drenched Hare Lane.

The visitors started brightly and a smart kick from the Warlords half-back into the in-goal was well taken on the full by 16-year-old winger Tom Hayden. The Gladiators then made good ground on their next set and when prop Jim Green was tackled two yards out hooker James Wrathall burrowed his way over the line to give Chester an early lead.

Chester extended their advantage out wide shortly afterwards as Hayden finished off a neat team move in the corner to claim his first try of the season. From the resultant kick-off Wolverhampton found debutant centre Matt Sheen and he shrugged off four would-be tacklers before racing clear to claim the Gladiators third try in quick succession.

The visitors were forced to work overtime in defence as the Chester forward pack were making plenty of yards and keeping the ball alive and Sheen soon added a second try before Wolverhampton finally got off the mark with a great individual try by their loose forward.

However, the Gladiators were in no mood to let the Warlords back into the game and Alan Hoey ran a great angle for a simple close range score before loose forward Damon Williams claimed his first try of the season. Mike Lillenfield, who endured a miserable afternoon with the boot yet again, then collected a neat offload to race clear for an easy try to round off a splendid first half performance.

The home side refused to let up after the break as Sheen claimed two more tries to bring up his hattrick although Wolverhampton did a score of the own shortly after the second half got underway after Chester spilled the ball and some tidy football skills resulted in the Warlords scoring in the corner.

Chester moved further in front as 16-year-old fullback Bud Skinkis rounded off a fantastic length of the field move to claim a well deserved try under the posts before Gareth Coy, another player making his first appearance for the club, burst through the line to race clear before touching down for a debut try.

Sheen added a further try, finishing the game with a remarkable five-try haul on his Gladiators debut, before replacement winger Scott Davies finished well in the corner as he became another player to mark his debut with a try.

The visitors had the final say on proceedings with a try right at the death to make the full-time score 66-14 in favour of a Gladiators side who rounded a promising season off with the finest performance of the campaign.

Squad

1. Bud Skinkis
2. Dan Greenwood
3. Matt Sheen
4. Gareth Coy
5. Tom Hayden
6. Paul Foster
7. Mike Lillenfield
8. Steve Sandbach
9. James Wrathall
10. Jim Green
11. Dave Thomas
12. Stuart Davies
13. Damon Williams

14. Ray Tindall
15. Andy McClumpha
16. Dave Thomas
17. Matt Arnold
18. Kelvin Bryan
19. Pete Last
20. Alan Hoey
21. Gaz
22. Scott Davies
23. Mike Hughes

Scorers

Tries - James Wrathall, Tom Hayden, Matt Sheen (5), Alan Hoey, Damon Williams, Mike Lillenfield, Bud Skinkis, Gareth Coy, Scott Davies

Goals - Mike Lillenfield (4/8), Dave Thomas (3/4) and Damon Williams (0/1)

Match details

Match date

Sat 02 Aug 2008

Kickoff

14:00
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Shirt Sponsor - Intersol Global
Ball and shirt sponsors - KPD Services
Shorts Sponsor - Gadget Refuge
Shorts Sponsor - MD Turner Electrical Services
Rugby Wear - Optimum
Home Venue - The Cheshire County Sports Club
Kit Wash Sponsor - Fresh Launderette