However, the Gladiators hit back strongly with Jim Green forcing his way over the whitewash on 18 minutes and centre Dan Smith adding another try eight minutes later.

Neither Fitton Hill or Chester landed conversions so the Gladiators held an 8-4 lead and that is how the scoreline remained until the break.

Smith added his second try of the match on 45 minutes and hooker Dan Rowett followed up with Chester's fourth try on 52 minutes before Fitton Hill reduced the lead with their second try of the match.

But Green then set up Smith for his hattrick on the hour mark and Chester appeared in command, although crucially all attempted conversions were off target.

Fitton Hill trailed by 12 points and struck next to set up a tense final 15 minutes. The visitors added another score shortly afterwards to level the match with just under 10 minutes remaining.

Fitton Hill were now in the ascendency and they took the lead with a drop goal and followed it almost immediately with a penalty to move three points in front.

With time running out Chester went forward in search of a winning try but the final say went to the Bulldogs as they scored their fifth try on the stroke of full time.