THERE were mixed emotions for Altrincham Kersal's first XV as they staged a superb fightback to beat Douglas (IoM) but failed to get the bonus points needed to avoid relegation from North One West.

Kersal came from 10-0 down at half time to win 19-15, with tries from Matt Geiger, Sam Moncur and Callum Robinson and one conversion from Matt Tully.

The last 10 minutes was all Kersal, battling hard in the hope of bagging the all-important extra try to gain the bonus points.

But it was in vain as they returned to the South Lancs Cheshire League One, but not without a fight.

There was deserved success for both the seconds and thirds – the seconds winning 21-15 at Bowdon and the thirds beating Heaton Moor at home 48-31.

Tries in the seconds' clash came from James Dennis, James Coulson and Chris Weighell with three conversions from James Coulson.

The seconds sit second in Division Two South and have secured promotion.

Sunday was Cheshire Cup junior semi-finals day, Altrincham Kersal with teams involved in three last-four ties.

The Under-17s Colts were away at Chester U17s Colts and raced to a 19-0 lead against the League A side following tries from Ollie Joyce (two) and Harry Backhouse.

Kersal extended their lead in the second half through Aiden Silgram, before Derry O’Driscoll put the game beyond Chester’s reach and Joyce completed his hat-trick late on with a 40-metre run avoiding four tackles.

Max Brookes slotted four conversions over to make Kersal worthy 38-5 winners and they will play Birkenhead Park in the Cheshire Plate final on April 29.

The U16s made it a double whammy of defeats for Chester as they secured their Cheshire Cup final place on home soil.

Two tries from John Bailey, one from James Backhouse and Sale Sharks academy player Elliot Gourlay making two conversions, sealing a 19-14 win for the side who will face local rivals Bowdon in the final after they beat Wirral 10-7.

The U13s put up a brave fight at Bowdon in the Cheshire Waterfall semi-final, but lost 35-10.

This weekend, the first XV host Firwood Waterloo in their last match of the season in North One West, while the seconds host Winnington Park and the thirds visit Ashton-on-Mersey, in their penultimate games, all 3pm kick off.

* Altrincham Kersal Women's RFC are hosting another "Free Your Inner Warrior" Training Camp at Stelfox Avenue tonight from 7pm to 8.30pm. Women and girls of all abilities are invited to attend for free coaching by RFU coaches.