Patchy Gladiators beaten by Hindley

Some slack defence and lapses in concentration proved costly for the Gladiators, who controlled the game in spells and scored four well worked tries.

Both Mark Hanson and Dan Rowett grabbed two tries apiece for Chester but Hindley scored six tries of their own to claim the points.

Chester started the game brightly and appeared to be in control but it was the hosts who opened the scoring through a breakaway try on seven minutes.

The Gladiators hit back five minutes later through winger Hanson following some good build up play by stand-off Chris Pape but Rowett's conversion attempt was off target.

Hindley extended their lead with a converted try from fullback Darren Picton Jr to move eight points in front but once again Hanson replied for Chester.

Pape was again the architect as his cut out pass found the winger who did well to force his way over in the corner to make the score 8-12.

But Hindley hit back with try five minutes before half time following another weaving run by Picton Jr. Rowett stopped the fullback short of the line but the hosts spread the ball wide and scored in the corner to head into the break 16-8 up.

Chester started the second period slowly and Hindley took advantage almost immediately with a fourth try on 42 minutes to take a 12 point lead.

The hosts then added another try courtesy of some shaky Gladiators defence to move even further in front before the visitors managed to stem the tide.

Chester slowly began to work their way back into the game but Hindley all but wrapped up the win when Pape's looping pass was intercepted for a sixth Hindley try.

With just over 15 minutes left on the clock, the Gladiators finally sparked into life as Rowett scampered over the line from close range following a good run by Steve Threlfall.

Rowett then grabbed a quick fire second after linking up well with Hanson and, although the final whistle soon followed, Chester at least ended the game in the ascendancy.