Gladiators winning run continues against Wigan St Cuthberts

Chester travelled to Wigan for a early kick off on the main pitch at St Cuthberts known for its slope.

Playing up hill in the first half Chester started well with a big powerful return from Dylan Yearsley then some nice spread play rugby league from Joe Wilcock, Ethan Bainbridge and Max Follows saw Chester deep in the Wigan territory before the Wigan fullback defused a high bomb from half back Joe. Chester managed to rattle the host and force a early error but couldnt capatalise on the field position as they produced an early error themselves.

Wigan managed to use the pitch to gain momentum and were camped in the Chester 20 as they probed left to be met with resolute defence from Haig Bainbridge and Dan Tabberer before coming right to be held up impressively by Max Follows, Ethan Bainbridge and Carter Foster before a error was caused and Chester got the ball back, Liam Walker and Haig managed to march up the field before Dan T broke through the line to get into the Wigan 30m but impressive tackle by their fullback stopped the attack.

A penalty from Chester gave Wigan repeat sets and the opportunity to test the defence once again with good tackling across the team frustating the Wigan attack they managed to get to the left edge again and despite a good tackle from Ethan and Carter a couple of tackles later they were left exposed for Wigan to score in the corner and open their account for the day. They missed the conversion so the score was 4 - 0.

Chester reacted well with a deep kick and a solid tackle from Liam Walker forced an early error, Dylan set up the first drive before Harry MacMilan linked with Ethan Bainbridge who raced away to score from 40m out adding the extras to his own try impressively nudging Chester ahead 4 - 6.

Chester then had a couple of sets that went loose early on with errors despite strong drives from Ben Calvert, Dylan Y, Liam W and Joe W. Wigan had their tails up as the half drew to the close and the impressive hooker found a gap in a static Chester line close to the line to score out wide with a impressive show and go to score on the right edge. From the kick off there was another line break but a fantastic tackle from fullback Matt Richards rescued Chester early in the set which was backed up with impressive tackling from Rhys Hughes and Joe W snuffed out the set on half time with Wigan slightly ahead 8-6 on the scoreboard.

Chester kicked off deep and as the Wigan player tried to trap the ball it took a horrid bounce and offered the opportunity for Chester to recliam the kick off but a scramble for the ball was judged that Chester had knocked on saving the blushes of the Wigan player.

Sepp Karnick was making his return to the team and was impressive with his tackling and running at half back and Luke Johnson was keeping busy around the ruck mopping up a loose ball. Wigan got the ball back and was testing the goal line defence of Chester but impressive line speed and defence mentality ensured they held strong before Wigan tried to spread it wide and made a error. Chester couldnt reduce the error count and each time they looked to gain momentum a simple error stopped the progress and gifted Wigan the ball back. A simple kick through was gathered by Matt Richards and he bumped off 3 defenders before stepping the full back to race away to the line, Ethan Bainbridge adding the extras with a difficult effort out wide.

10 minutes left and Chester had their noses in front and it sapped the energy of the resilient Wigan team, LIam W receives the kick off and makes a impressive 30+ metre return followed by Dylan Y adding extras post contact to give Chester good field position, Alex Woodbury ran a great line to feed Ben Turner in acres of space who charged towards the fullback who tackled high and ended Ben's involvement in the game with a HIA. From the resulting penatly Dan T looked to get revenge for his team mate with a skittling run and as the Wigan defence bunched up Chester shipped it wide to Harry MacMilan on tackle 3 and he was able to break through and although backed up well with support runners managed to get to the line to score again Ethan added the extras.

From the kick off Wigan produced a squib kick that ran into touch to gift them the ball in Chester territory, they hit up through the middle before shipping it wide but a fantatic scramble defence tackle from Max Fsnuffed out the attack in the corner, Wigan tried to kick to the other corner which was collected on the bounce deep in his try area by Alex Woodbury who was alert to the danger and dodged his way to safety. Henry Jones, Dan T and Liam W charge us up the field further before it was shipped wide to Haig Bainbridge he steps outside and tiptoed down the touchline against the pursuing defenders, the fullback had covered well and looks odds on to force Haig into touch but a neat step and turn saw the field open up and Haig raced away to score under the sticks and gift his brother the easiest conversion of the day.

Wigan kicked deep this time from kick off straight to Haig who produces a carbon copy of his run a minute earlier to score another impressive solo try and Ethan made it a perfect afternoon with the boot infront of goal o make the scoreline 8 - 30 to Chester.

With confidence high but only a minute to play Chester produced some champagne rugby with half backs linking well and causing problems to a tired Wigan defence that was saved by the referee deep in their half on tackle 3.

Overall a impressive display once again by the under 14's who showed their potential well against a well drilled solid side and managed to keep the scoreline to 0 in the second half was a good reflection on how much they are progressing together and working as a squad. Although MOM went to Haig Bainbridge from the Wigan coaches but it could have been anyone from the squad on the day and it was a great team performance.