ALTRINCHAM Kersal Under-15s progressed to the semi-finals of the Cheshire Cup with a 17-0 win against local rivals Bowdon on Sunday.

Undefeated this season, Kersal started well and dominated most of the play in the first half, spending much of the game in Bowdon territory.

Early tries came quickly from number eight Ollie Leatherbarrow and centre John Bailey to take Kersal 10-0 up after 10 minutes.

Bowdon put in a sterling effort, however, with forward Danny Haslett causing chaos for Kersal around the breakdown, winning both ball and penalties.

While Altrincham never looked in danger, poor decision making cost them a number of possible tries as the first half finished 10-0 .

Bowdon's strong defence continued into the second half and the score remained unchanged for 20 minutes.

Finally Altrincham broke the deadlock and scored a converted try to win 17-0.

Bowdon gained some revenge in the under-13s' clash, winning 20-10.

The only senior Kersal action saw the men's seconds lose 11-8 at home to Northwich seconds in the cup.

Kersal started well, moving the ball around and going through the phases, developing increasing pressure in the attacking part of the field and testing out individual battles.

The first points came from a penalty, but the home side then had to survive the expected response and the defensive line stood firm at about the 22m line.

Kersal continued to make ground again and the first try came from a forwards' move, with the whole pack driving to allow Micah Dyos to fall over the whitewash to make it 8-0.

A successful Northwich penalty brought the scores closer, then late in the first half the opposition drew level.

Kersal kicked from just outside their 22 to put the ball into opposition territory, seemingly into space.

But the long leg of a Northwich player managed to reach the ball with a football-style slide tackle before the ball popped up into the air for the same player to catch and take forward.

He broke through to feed a fellow Black shirt to gain the points and make it level at the break.

In the final quarter of the game, Dyos carried the ball positively to finish off an attack and cross the line, taking tacklers with him, but the decision was given as 'held up'.

Northwich held out and gained a late penalty to take them though to the next round.