Altrincham Kersal 9

Penrith 3

EACH side created scoring opportunities but they were frustrated by the defences, so the game passed without a try being scored.

The first chance to get on to the scoreboard went to Penrith when visiting South African referee Colin Deeb from the Durban Referee's Society awarded a penalty for an Altrincham Kersal offside.

The kick was missed, as was a drop goal attempt a few minutes later.

During this early part of the game, Penrith put the pressure on Kersal but in the second quarter, Altrincham Kersal came back at them, until two penalties awarded against Penrith for offside and an offence at a ruck gave the home side the lead.

Paul Edwards converted both kicks to put his side ahead by six points to nil at half time.

Another missed penalty by Penrith early in the second half spurred Altrincham Kersal on to produce some of their best rugby of the afternoon until, unfortunately hooker Dominic MacKenzie had to leave the field with a shoulder injury to be replaced by Neil Madsen and Sam Rickitt came on in place of Alex Gluth.

Good ground was made down the midfield by Kersal with Max Faulkner running strongly, well supported by Ryan Spence and Steve Halliwell in the centre, until Altrincham Kersal won a scrum some thirty yards out and Andy Daldry dropped a goal to put Altrincham Kersal two scores ahead at 9-0.

Then, almost immediately, Penrith came back with a drop goal of their own 9-3.

With the clock ticking down, Penrith were awarded a penalty and kicked for position into the corner.

Kersal stole the ball at the line-out and put the ball into touch, to end the match.

Next week, Altrincham Kersal visit Old Alwinians for what promises to be a tough league match.

Altrincham Kersal 2ndXV notched up another high score on Saturday by beating De La Salle 2nd XV by 55-0.

This brings their total points tally over the last three game to 198.