Chester Gladiators secured their second win of the season thanks to a fine 36-32 victory over Wigan Riversiders in the RL Merit League sponsored by Kukri Sports. Having fell to a heavy 54-6 defeat on their last trip to Wigan, the Gladiators headed north looking to produce a performance that would underline the progress made by the club in 2009.

Fullback Simon Quinn collected a smart pass from second row forward Dave Doneo to open the scoring in the third minute and Quinn doubled his tally on 10 minutes after good work by Dave Thomas although stand-off Kelvin Bryan was off-target with his conversion attempt leaving Chester 10-0 in front.

Doneo then grabbed a try of his own after Bryanâ€™s kick evaded the Riversiders defenders to put the Gladiators into a commanding 16-0 lead. However, Chester lost in-form fullback Quinn to injury shortly afterwards and the home side took advantage of his absence, aided by some individual errors amongst the Chester ranks, to run in three tries in quick succession, sending the sides into the break level at 16-16.

Chester enjoyed the perfect start to the second period as Doneo carried several Wigan defenders across the line to touch down just two minutes after the interval. Younger brother Dan Doneo then got in on the act as he produced a fine finish in the corner after 50 minutes and Gladiators Captain Martin Cormack cheekily intercepted a long Wigan pass to cross the whitewash and put Chester 32-22 up.

But the Riversiders refuse to give in and hit back with a converted try to get themselves back into the game but Benji Marsh, another debutant, crashed over the line after 68 minutes to put the Gladiators on the verge of victory.

With time running out the home side began to surge forward and with two minutes left on the clock they forced their way over the line. However, the attempted conversion drifted wide and the Gladiators held on to record an excellent win.

Dave Doneo was named man of the match after an impressive debut whilst Kelvin Bryan and Simon Quinn also impressed. Chester return to action on Sunday 31st May when they host Chester Wolves 1999 title winning team in a friendly fixture at Hare Lane. The game will kick-off at 3.00 PM although the Gladiators new A team will take on Hemel Stags at 1.30 PM.

Chester Gladiators: Simon Quinn, Adam Stanworth, Declan Foy, Alexis Wilkie, Andy Vaughan, Kelvin Bryan, Anthony Hallam, Steve Sandbach, Damon Williams, Dave Thomas, Dave Doneo, Mike Davies, Martin Cormack (Captain) (Substitutes: Paul Foster, Daniel Doneo, Jim Green, Danny Harvey, Philip McKeegan, Benji Marsh, Elliott Pointer)

Tries: Simon Quinn (3 & 10), Dave Doneo (21 & 42), Dan Doneo (50), Martin Cormack (57) & Benji Marsh (68)

Conversions: Kelvin Bryan (4/7)

Chester 3-2-1: Dave Doneo, Kelvin Bryan & Simon Quinn

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