ALTRINCHAM Kersal's first XV battled hard but lost 27-12 to third-placed Northwich in North One West.

It took 25 minutes for the deadlock to be broken and it was the visitors who crossed the line for an unconverted try.

A second score, this time converted, quickly followed to make it 12-0.

Kersal fought to redress the balance and pushed their way into Northwich territory to score a well-worked try, duly converted to reduce the deficit.

But Northwich rallied and piled on the pressure, and in the last few seconds of first-half stoppage time they broke free and dropped down to score a try which once converted took the score to 19-7 at half time.

Kersal were definitely making more of the play than in recent weeks and they drove with conviction over the visitors' whitewash to lessen the deficit.

But as hard as Kersal tried, Northwich just had the final cutting edge and proceeded to move further away, scoring eight more points.

The seconds made the short trip to Didsbury Toc H on their return to the Division Two South campaign looking to keep their good run of form going.

With conditions not ideal early on for expansive rugby, defensive efforts continued up to and beyond half time, with the game scoreless for a large period after the restart.

Kersal finally ended the stalemate with full-back Jack Snoddy finishing out wide and, with 15 minutes left, they knew it was time to push on.

More pressure forced a Didsbury knock-on, Kersal making the most of the resulting set-piece as Snoddy sidestepped his way under the posts to make it 12-0. 

Didsbury were spurred into action and determined to get on the scoresheet, they were finally awarded a try in the last play of the game but it could not prevent a 12-5 Kersal win to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches. 

Meanwhile, the third XV lost 59-33 at home against local rivals Trafford MV and on Sunday the under-13s were beaten 45-35 at Lymm.