ALTRINCHAM Kersal's first team slipped to a 29-17 defeat at home to St Benedicts in North One West on Saturday.

The visitors got on the scoresheet inside two minutes and played all the rugby in the first half, pushing AK all the way and scoring 29 points. 

A stronger and more positive Kersal battled back in the second half, scoring 17 points but they could not get back level.

The seconds travelled to Aldwinians in East Manchester but also lost out, 35-17.

The team included several fresh young faces, however within 10 minutes the heavyweights in the opposition burst through tackles and gained two converted tries.

Calmness prevailed and youthful energy gradually gained the advantage as half time approached, with Kersal putting points on the board from two tries and one conversion.

The second half started pretty much as the first, with the opposition scoring more tries and from then on it was always a struggle.

Kersal kept going but could not claw back the deficit.

The thirds enjoyed a better weekend when they beat Didsbury TocH fourths 39-12.

Meanwhile, the ladies' side drew 12-12 at Halifax ladies on Sunday.

Against a competitive Yorkshire side who held nothing back in contact, Kersal showed that even with some changes in key positions they can deliver consistency. Mandy Dunne excelled in her first game at scrum-half and Amanda Palin returned from South Sudan for a guest appearance after the players reunion at the club last weekend.

The under-13s played Chester in a friendly and won 15-5.

In a tough encounter, Chester took an early lead before both teams cancelled each other out for the remainder of the first half.

Then Kersal put together a set rolling maul from a free kick, the boys drove it to the Chester line and then spun it out to score in the corner.

Kersal came out strong in the second half and found an additional gear which paid dividends with two unanswered tries to win three tries to one.

Try scorers for Kersal were Will Riley and Ethan Steward (two).