Altrincham Kersal 24 Darlington 31

KERSAL were knocked out of the EDF National Trophy after a narrow defeat against National League side Darlington at Stelfox Avenue.

The game was a contest between the skilful and speedy Kersal backs and the strong Darlington forwards, whose tactics, while not pretty, are certainly effective.

All but one of their scores came from pressure exerted by their forwards, two from catch and drive moves at lineouts and the third a penalty try after Kersal had offended at a five-metre scrum.

Their first try, however, came from a Kersal dropped pass - a rare occurrence - which Darlington's Coulson capitalised on.

A turnover ball in their own half gave Kersal the equaliser. Started by Phil Murphy and carried on by Chris Stewart, it was finished by Joel Petite.

But the visitors took the lead again with the first of their tries from a catch and drive.

A touch of magic then came from Kersal's Wizard of Oz', Tim Ashman, who received the ball well out from the line and ghosted through untouched under the posts to give Wayne Morris an easy conversion.

With the score at 12-10 on the stroke of half time, Kersal were penalised and Raynor slotted over a penalty to regain the lead for Darlington.

But when Darlington's second half kick-off failed to go 10 metres, number 8 Geoff Minson broke from Kersal's scrum and passed to Ashman, who chipped ahead and gathered brilliantly to touch down for his second. Morris added the extras.

It was Minson again who began the next movement. Morris took up the running and was unlucky to stumble but Ashman and Stewart were on hand to take it on and send Petite in to complete his brace.

But two more of Darlington's trademark drives and a conversion and two penalties from Raynor put paid to the home side's chances.

On Tuesday Kersal qualified to meet New Brighton in the semi-final of the Cheshire Cup by beating Stockport 15-10.

The other sides all won their Saturday cup ties. The second XV beat Tyldesley 21-7, the thirds beat Southport seconds 34-13 and the fourth XV went through as the away team after a 17-17 draw at Pendle.