ALTRINCHAM Kersal's firsts secured North One West survival with a 29-24 home triumph against West Park St Helens.

West Park made good ground in attack and secured two well-worked tries in the first half.

Kersal, on the back foot, needed to fill the gaps and they quickly redressed the balance and half time saw the visitors just ahead 24-17.

Kersal began the second half with renewed passion and vigour, quickly drawing level and then moving into the lead.

Their stoic defence proved impenetrable in the second half, resulting in no further points added for the visitors. 

The match was too close for comfort for the home fans at times but the final whistle ensured Kersal are now safe as West Park St Helens went down.

Kersal's tries were scored by Sol Neild, John Bishop (two) and James Coulson, while Jack Emerson kicked a penalty and a conversion and there were also two conversions for Ross Keatch.

The second XV also won to keep alive their top-four hopes, beating Didsbury Toc H 21-19.

After a positive start for Kersal with early pressure in the Didsbury 22, Sam Gallimore slotted an early penalty to put them 3-0 up.

However, handling errors and poor tackling gifted Didsbury first-half tries.

The Kersal players showed character and Ethan Kennedy scored a try after some good link-up play.

In the second half, a penalty from Sam Gallimore and a tries from Dan Quinn and Jack Snoddy pushed Kersal ahead. Didsbury caught their defence napping, though, as offloads led to their third try.

But Kersal fought hard to see out the victory ahead of a clash against third-placed Glossop next.

Elsewhere, Kersal's thirds lost 39-14 against Broughton Park fourths.