ALTRINCHAM Kersal's Under-17s Colts secured a hard-fought 20-8 victory at home to Newcastle-under-Lyme last Sunday.

The Colts showed real purpose from the start, taking the game to Newcastle in a show of strength and determination.

However, credit must go also to Newcastle, who came back early in the second half to win most of their line-outs.

Kersal kept their shape, though, and prevented Newcastle from converting possession and territory into points.

It was a resolute team performance from Kersal with notable performances from Ollie Joyce, Anthony Tanner, Matt Ratcliffe, Tom Gill and Max Brookes as well as try scorers Archie Brassington-Somers, Harry Backhouse, Cormac Grieves and Aaron Antrobus.

The first XV, meanwhile, went down 50-12 to runaway North One West leaders Vale of Lune.

After losing 60-12 in the reverse fixture, Kersal were keen to gain revenge but came up against a strong Vale side.

However, Kersal gave a good account of themselves, scoring two tries, from JP Singleton and Luke Maitra and one conversion by Dave Coleman.

This weekend the firsts travel to Rochdale looking to improve on their current position of 12th.

The seconds also lost in a closer affair at Whitchurch, going down 27-25 ahead of their home clash against New Brighton in Division Two South this weekend.

There was better news for the thirds, who secured their second successive win in Division Four East, beating Hope Valley firsts 87-34 on home soil.

They visit Littleborough this weekend.