Lostock RUFC 10, Chorley 10

CHORLEY led until five minutes from the end of this dour Lancs North Division Two encounter and should have won, but having failed to turn the lion's share of possession and positional advantage into points, they then conspired to let Lostock snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat.

Lostock kicked off in the mud and the scene was immediately set for a forward battle, as ruck followed maul and any ball released to the backs by either side was fumbled. Chorley dominated for most of the first half, but Lostock's outside half Dave Nichols kept them in the game with some fine clearance kicks and a penalty goal after 20 minutes. Chorley could only count one unconverted try -- by tough scrum half Pete Baxendale -- as reward for their labours.

The pack played well and the backs did their best in appalling conditions for running rugby, but failure to score would ultimately cost dear.

Having turned around 5-3 up, Chorley went on the offensive, but stout defence and some crunching tackles from the home side kept them at bay for most of the third quarter.

Then the Chorley forwards drove the ball over the line for Howard Faulkner to score and a win looked on the cards.

At 10-3 down, the Lostock lads could have capitulated, but they stuck to their task manfully and got their just deserts when momentary confusion in the Chorley midfield allowed them to break through for the best try of the afternoon by fast wing Dave Kelly. Nichols converted to tie the game.

Pete Baxendale had an opportunity to steal the game back for the visitors in the dying minutes, but his penalty kick went just wide of the uprights. Chorley will have to improve on this performance if they are to make any impression on the league leaders.

Chorley 2nd 7, Lostock 2nd 19

CHORLEY A team's subtle blend of youth and experience failed to pull it off in this lacklustre encounter at Brookfields.

Lostock's second string proved a well-drilled and skilful outfit and they coped much better with the conditions than Chorley and the home side did well to come so close. The first half was very much damage limitation -- when Chorley got the ball, they struggled to control it and the sides changed ends with Lostock 7-0 up.

Lostock continued to dominate and scored another 12 points before Chorley could respond with a well-worked Reilly try near the end or the game.