ALTRINCHAM Kersal seconds bounced back from a narrow home defeat to University of Liverpool Vets with a 27-10 victory over Kirkby Lonsdale seconds.

In blustery conditions, Kersal took advantage of their first scoring opportunity with Jordan Roberts converting a penalty to go 3-0 up after five minutes.

Missed tackles five minutes later allowed Kirkby over the try line out wide.

Kersal pressured straight from the restart, forcing errors and spending extended periods of attack inside the Kirkby 22.

Structured game play, in open play and set-piece, resulted in a try to take the score to 10-5 in Kersal's favour, as Louis Taylor ran a great line off inside-centre Matt Tully to slice through the Kirkby defence and cross the try line. Further pressure from Kersal towards half time forced more errors as a huge hit from Taylor forced a knock-on and winger Nick Leach picked up the loose ball to capitalise and cross the whitewash.

A Kirkby try out wide on the stroke of half time closed the gap as Kersal went into the break 17-10 up.

In the second half, Kersal did not let their standards slip, and there were good examples of both attacking rugby and some outstanding defensive efforts as well.

The hosts' defence was like a brick wall, as Kirkby spent a 10-minute spell inside the Kersal 22 approaching the try line, coming away empty-handed.

Mammoth tackles throughout the team, including backs Andy Frain and Ben Harris at flankers hitting anything that moved, let Kirkby know any scores were not going to come easily.

Kersal kept turning the screw as Ged Scrace scored with 10 minutes go and, soon after, winger Dom Pearce crossed after some slick hands created an overlap out wide. That took Kersal's lead to 27-10, which is how it finished, leaving Kersal in great spirits heading into the home straight of the league season.

Tries came from Taylor, Leach, Scrace, Pearce and Roberts, with two conversions and a penalty.

The seconds' next game is in a fortnight – their last away trip of the season at Glossop second XV.

It was a different story for the first XV who lost 23-0 at Glossop in Lancs/Cheshire Division One.

Their next game is at home to Liverpool Collegiate on Saturday week.

The thirds also lost, 56-5 at Marple seconds.