CHORLEY RUFC 23 - TYLDESLEY RUFC 20

IN A hastily re-arranged fixture the Black and Whites just grabbed the spoils in a close game.

The sides were evenly matched and the lead changed hands several times before a Sean Riches penalty gave Chorley the win.

Chorley's league opponents BAe Warton failed to materialise so the Brookfields base club automatically took the two league points. Motivating the homeside was difficult but Steve Goodman was able to rouse his side after an early try was conceded.

Neil Jones went over after an overlap was created from a tap penalty. Then the ubiquitous Sean Gustard, easily Chorley's best forward was on hand to take an inside pass from Winger Richard Dempsey.

The scores were brought level on the stroke of half-time when captain Steve Goodman crashed over from five metres after a third successive ruck in the visiting 22. Half-time ended 15-all.

Chorley took the lead midway through the second half with a glorious score by Yorkshireman Richard Dempsey who finished off a good three-quarter movement with a try in the corner. Back came Tyldesley with an unconverted try - only for Riches to withstand the temptation of running the ball from ten metres out and to slot the winning penalty goal.

ATHERTON

RUFC 7

CHORLEY RUFC 2nd XV 17

CHORLEY'S second XV travelled away for only the second occasion this season and recorded their second win of the campaign. It was a morale boosting performance from Steve Richardson's side.

But it all started so badly for the Black and Whites. Again they lacked concentration and commitment at the beginning of the game and let in Atherton for a gift of a try after ten minutes. Chorley's midfield defence was sadly amiss as Atherton's strong running centre burst through.

It took until five minutes before half-time for Chorley to wake up. At last the ball was moved wide for Rob Walsh to speed over in the corner. Half-time, the score was Atherton 7, Chorley 5.

Straight after the break Chorley's forwards took control, setting up some good second phase ball to permit the impressive Simon Keeley to shirk off tackles on the way to the line.

Then Chorley's best player Phil Clarke released his namesake for a run down the right wing. The ever-present flanker Adrian Fuller was on hand to take the inside pass and dive over for Chorley's third try, converted by Steve Ogden.

Just before the end prop Brian Jeffrey, who had flown 6,000 miles to take part, nearly went over, but jet lag finally took its toll.

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