ALTRINCHAM Kersal went down 46-13 to unbeaten North One West league leaders Kirkby Lonsdale at Stelfox Avenue despite a battling effort.

Kersal were caught napping in the first five minutes with a swift breakthrough from the visitors leading to their first try.

But the hosts worked hard to stay in the game and a well-worked try from Matt Moss and a penalty from Jack Emerson made it 18-8 for the visitors at half time.

In the second half, Kirkby struck early again and began to rack up points at will to surge into a 46-8 lead.

But Kersal kept their spirits up and great runs from Doug Whyley finally culminated in a try from Joe Kelly to reduce the arrears before the end.

Kersal's focus is now on the final four matches and their bid to stay in the division, starting with a trip to Eccles on Saturday.

The seconds also went down to local rivals Bowdon, the hosts triumphing 29-22.

The first 10 minutes was a roller coaster, but then simple mistakes led to Kersal quickly being two tries and two conversions down.

A response in the form of a gradual build up of pressure by going through the phases and keeping possession got them back into the game.

Firstly a try by Jack Snoddy on the wing, and then another by JP Singleton, coming from full-back to collect a neat box kick from scrum-half Ged Scrase.

At half time it was 14-10 to Bowdon and anyone's game.

Energy and momentum came from repeated 'tap and go' at a sequence of penalties in Kersal's favour with Callum Robinson eventually crossing the line.

But then poor tackling resulted in another score for the home side, soon followed by slow ball in defence and an opposition charge-down try.

A comeback was always possible and Danny Kennedy at centre gave Kersal hope from another score, but frustration in some led to a couple of sin bin offences and time eventually ran out.

There was better news for the thirds who took the points after Rochdale conceded.