Chester travelled to Burtonwood to face a small squad meaning adjusted line ups of 11 v 11. With a full Chester squad coach Paul Foster had to manage game time across the squad and the additional fitness played dividends at the end of the game.

Captain Joe Wilcock led from the front and set the tone in defence throughout the game and played a great attacking game keeping the team in shape with his running and drawing of defence to create space for his team mates all game. Early in the game Chester struggled to contain a man mountain on the Burtonwood side and handling errors cost the team dear in the first half of the game.

Straight from kick off Dylan Yearsley set a platform and tried to break through the Big bulldogs defence line. unfortunately it was Bulldogs who opened the scoring from a big run by their impressive number 11. A penalty (one of only two in the whole game) gave Bulldogs good field position but they were met by a resolute goal line Defence from the Gladiators with Dan Taberrer impressing on the Edge. Eventually the defence was broken and Bulldogs extended their lead

Owen Davies joined the team recently and impressed with his fearless tackling showing good form and technique but a unusual early set turnover saw bulldogs grab possession from a Chester knock on and the #11 scored a unopposed try to make the scoreline 12-0, the #11 kicked through and collected his own kick to race away and score in the corner in what would be his final action of the game as he left the field injured with the scoreline at 18-0.

A 1 on 1 ball steal by Ben Turner fired up the Chester attack and Owen Hughes was able to be the benefactor of some nice wide passing from his half back partner Joe to race away and score from his own 30 in the closing moments of the first half to make the half time score 18-6.

At Half time Chester looked the better team and were encouraged by the coaching staff to keep to their style of Rugby and tighten up in Defence, they then started the second half well with strong defence across the team with some superb handling from Alex Woodbury which saw him scoop up a loose ball and drive down the pitch resulting in a quick play the ball and Owen Hughes again finding space on the edge to race away for his second try of the game converting his own try to bring the game to 18-12.

From the resulting Kick off Oliver Holt collected a squib horrible moving kick safely then beat 3 defenders before racing away casually to score his first try for Gladiators as commented by one of the parents it looked like he was out for a sunday jog as he flying past the tackles unfortunately the resulting conversion was missed so Chester remained behind 18-16.

Another error by Chester in their 20 saw the Bulldogs able to have multiple drives at the line from a short distance before their big prop was finally able to crash over the line extending their lead to 24-16.

Some excellent recovery rugby was on show by the Gladiators as Max Follows put in a big tackle forcing an error meaning Chester recovered the loose ball by Harry King Magee. The second penalty of the game was as a result of Chester trying to steal the ball but with 2 in the atckle the ref pulled the game back. The next set Chester had with the ball saw Dan Taberrer take on the left edge of the Bulldogs defence shrugging off mutliple tacklers before racing away to score a fantastic solo try Owen Hughes added the extras to make it 24-22 to Bulldogs.

In the last 10 minutes Chester could smell victory and Ben Turner broke through the line in the middle of the field and raced to his first try of the game which was converted by Owen Hughes to put Chester in the lead 24-28 some further resolute defence by the left edge of Chester with Joe & Carter Foster saw off the final Bulldog attack before Ben Turner wrapped up the game with a try on the final hooter driving through the tired Bulldogs defence with the conversion missed the game ended 24-32 to Gladiators.

It has to be recognised that the Bulldogs losing their influential #11 changed the dynamic of the game but the character of the Chester team and team spirit in the second half (along with fantastic try celebrations as they clawed their way back in the game) is also a credit to the whole squad that were on the field and 1-17 they all stepped up and got stuck in to their tasks showing the potential they have as a team and individually as Rugby League players.

Bulldogs coaches called out Owen Hughes as MOM for them with the Chester coaching staff calling out Joe Wilcock for his stellar leadership performance in Defence and Attack along with Dan Taberrer for his crunching defence throughout the game.

Next weekend Chester host Chorley Panthers at the Cheshire Sports Club