Last gasp win for Gladiators

Chester were ahead for much of the game but the Wigan-based Lions looked to have earned a draw when they crossed with three minutes left to level the scores at 32-all.

However, the visting Gladiators summoned up one last effort and forward Jim Green crashed over the try line, with Dan Rowett adding the conversion to seal the victory.

Chester enjoyed the perfect start to the game when winger Andy Outram marked his first start of the season with a try in the corner after just two minutes.

But the home side made the Gladiators pay for some poor discipline and were able to sneak over from close range to draw level.

Prop Luke Edwards, who finished the match with three tries, powered over for his first of the afternoon on 15 minutes to put Chester back in front but again the Lions exposed some lazy defence to score from short range.

New Springs then hit the front for the first time in the game but the Gladiators responded well with two quick-fire tries before the interval.

Rowett made a half break and found Edwards who charged through for his second try and Chester were in again moments later.

From the restart, strong charges from Rowett, Stewart Pickering and Green created an opening for Chris Latham to score his first try for the club.

The second half followed a similar patter to the first, with Chester looking the more dangerous side but the home side refusing to lie down.

Edwards and Outram added further scores for Chester, with New Springs crossing for a try of their own to trail by six points with 20 minutes remaining on the clock.

Unfortunately a serious injury sustained by a New Springs player saw the game halted with 15 minutes left with an ambulance required.

Play resumed 20 minutes later and it was the home side who looked the sharper.

New Springs shifted the ball out to the left and were able to slice through Chester's defence to touch down under the posts with just five minutes left and the conversion brought the sides level.

With time running out, some solid defence presented Chester with one last opportunity and Green collected the ball from Rowett on the 10 yard line and forced his way over and grounded the ball to seal the win.

Rowett was named man of the match for Chester, with forwards Edwards and Pickering among the other stand out performers.

The Gladiators will be out to build on the win this weekend when they welcome Westhoughton Lions to The Cheshire County Sports Club.

Kick off on Saturday is at 2.30pm.