ALTRINCHAM Kersal's seconds ended the year with a 28-17 win at Warrington thirds.

Christmas presents arrived early for Kersal when a gap opened up within minutes of kick off for speedy Jack Wise to run half the length of the pitch for the opening try.

After this, the home side piled on the pressure and it was just a matter of time before a response came in the way of a try, conversion and a penalty to let Kersal know they were in for another battle.

Calmness prevailed for most of the time thereafter and a couple of brisk moves from the backs led to tries from Doug Whyley, then another chance for Wise to show his pace.

At times frustration from some got the better of them and backchat to the referee led to a sin bin for Kersal's number eight.

This, together with a twisted ankle to young flanker Mike Jones, led to a change in back-row personnel, bringing Sean Clayton from the centres to show his all-round quality with a significant contribution in the pack.

With a deficit of 21-10 at half time, Warrington kept charging forward and much of the last quarter was spent in the Kersal 22.

Another score gave the opposition confidence and momentum and time and time again hard tackles were needed to break up Warrington knocking at the try line.

This magnificent effort included some being over keen and more cards put Kersal down to 12 men.

A penalty try seemingly beckoned but Clayton forced a breakdown, then took the ball to halfway and fed John Coulson for a try to secure the win with another conversion from Jordan Roberts.

The firsts were also away from home but lost 31-18 at Wilmslow in North One West.

Kersal made the trip in good spirits after back-to-back wins but they fell short to a well-drilled Wilmslow side, who have established themselves near the top of the table, just below the two runaway sides of Kirby Lonsdale and Birkenhead Park. 

The game was a close affair with both sides working tirelessly to try and get full control of the game.

It was a well-contested and physical game until the 60th minute when two Kersal individual player errors saw Wilmslow pull away. 

Altrincham did not give up and carried on battling and doing there utmost to claw their way back into contention, all to no avail.

Kersal's standout performance came from Louis Taylor who was a constant threat to Wilmslow in defence and attack.

Kersal host Blackburn this weekend looking to end the year on a positive note.

The thirds also lost, 22-13 at Aldwinians fourths, but the under-15s were victorious at home to Sale FC, winning 39-17 to maintain their 11-game unbeaten start to the season.

Sale put up a strong defence in the first half and managed to hold back the relentless attack from Kersal to end the half 15-0 down.

Kersal settled down in the second half and were more able to move the ball around the field to exploit gaps in Sale's defence.

Man-of-the-match, number eight Jamie Catto, scored two tries and was key to Kersal's attack, but unfortunately dislocated his shoulder in the closing minutes of the game.

Winger Jacob Ansbro also scored twice, with a scorching run from number 15 Sam Stevenson setting up a try for prop Andy Muldoon towards the end of the second half.