ALTRINCHAM Kersal Ladies XV played out an entertaining 10-10 draw at home to Doncaster Demons last weekend.

Kersal started well, controlling possession in the middle of the park but the bigger Doncaster pack were keen to maul and slow the ball down with hands in the rucks, winning them several turnovers. 

Doncaster were the first to score after 20 minutes with a wide move they finished close enough to the sticks to slot the conversion and it was 7-0 at half time.

AK came out well after the break and the breakthrough came when several forward phases created space for the backs to show their lovely handling skills for a try finished by full-back Becky Bravender, scrum-half Helen Johnson kicking the extras.

Kersal let the ball bounce from the kick off, gifting Doncaster possession and a penalty was awarded which the visiting kicker duly converted to send them back into the lead.

AK pressed hard from the restart, sending the opposition deep into their own 22.

A succession of penalties led to prop Tammy Murphy going over for a try that was given, but then rescinded when the Doncaster team claimed they had held it up.

AK retained possession well and, when another penalty was awarded in front of the posts, Johnson again stepped up to claim the points.

When the referee called the final play of the match, AK were in possession in their own half.

They won the scrum and recycled the ball well with Doncaster giving away three penalties in extra time to try to contain them.

The ball eventually found Bravender who set off on a mazy run up the left wing and she beat most of the Doncaster back-line, only to be denied by a fantastic cover tackle from the opposing 12 which resulted in her foot touching the corner flag before she could ground the ball.

Coach Francis Stewart said: “The players were disappointed, but from a coach’s point of view it was pleasing to see the lessons being learned from previous games.

"Resilience has been built up over the last four matches and there was much better focus and some really good exchanges.”

Away from Stelfox, the ladies were delighted to hear promising youngster Abi Coleman, who has been called up to the Yorkshire under-15 side at the tender age of 13, played the second half of a 42-5 victory over Lancashire.

Altrincham Kersal are still looking to recruit new players and will be holding an additional training session on Sunday at 1pm if any local ladies would like to give rugby a try.

The Kersal men's first XV lost 36-3 against Burnage on home soil.

The injury-hit hosts worked tirelessly throughout with some huge shifts put in from Pete O' Connor and Alex Faupel in the front row.

The defence from Jimmy Smith at number 10 was commendable and the strong carries from Chris Loughlin and Adam Barker helped make dents in the Burnage defence.

On the whole, Burnage's pack were extremely well-drilled and left Stelfox Avenue with a well-earned five points.

The men's seconds also went down, 20-3 at Northwich.

Kersal always thought that they had a chance to secure victory, gaining increased confidence from having the bulk of the possession.

However, time and time again the opposition were better at the breakdown, principally through some heavier and stronger forwards, resulting in overturned balls.

It was 8-3 for much of the game but two tries against late on gave a final tally which did not reflect the match.

The third XV, meanwhile, won 41-5 against Village Spartans.