Masters join the fun at festival
Chester Gladiators Masters were one of 14 clubs to take part in a successful North West Clubs Festival at Leyland Warriors featuring almost 200 players.
With the winter storms having taken a toll on Leyland's pitches, it is a huge credit to the club's volunteers that the festival was able to go ahead and the Warriors pulled out all the stops with first class organisation, fantastic hospitality, a well stocked bar and live music.
Chester's opening game saw them take on an impressive Wigan St Judes outfit whose expansive brand of rugby tested the Gladiators defence, however some excellent teamwork limited scoring opportunities. Chester held firm in the middle but their resolve was eventually breached as Judes smartly created openings on either wing to touch down.
In their second game, the Gladiators faced another Wigan side in Spring View with little to choose between these two well-matched teams. On a heavy pitch, there was little flowing rugby to be seen and a breakaway score from Spring View looked to be the difference, however Chester responded well to finish the stronger with Paul Foster crashing over from close range.
Every player put in a real shift in tough conditions but the ever willing Alan Johnson and Phil Hewitt deserve special mention for huge efforts with ball in hand.