Birkenhead just edge past Chester in exciting finish.

Byline: ANDREW STRATTON

Birkenhead Park .........31 Chester ....................30 BIRKENHEAD held on for victory in a tense finish against their Cheshire rivals in this sizzling National Three North clash at the Upper Park.

Chester only once got their noses in front but nearly sneaked the verdict at the end - however a Rhys Hayes drop goal attempt fell short.

Birkenhead at the time were a man short with Gavin Scott serving time in the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on which gave Hayes his third penalty.

The hosts enjoyed most of the possession but Chester looked dangerous when they did manage to command good ball.

Winger Gareth Coy raced clear for an early Chester touchdown and again showed the home defence a clean pair of heels for his second try ahead of the break.

In between, live wire scrumhalf Steve Lowry crossed twice for Birkenhead, one of them from a quickly taken tap-kick, with Hall converting each time and adding a penalty.

The home side also scored again just before the interval with a good run in by Freeman Payne and Hall again on target.

Chester clawed their way back to 24-24 with a Sean Green try and a Hayes conversion and penalty.

Colin Campbell gained the fourth home touchdown on 68 minutes with Hall importantly adding the extras but Chester would not lie down and two more Hayes kicks gave Park a slender advantage and produced a nervy finale.

Coy took his chances well for the visitors and Hayes was excellent at fly-half. Matt Ibbotson, David Blythe and Payne were prominent for Park.

* NEW BRIGHTON earned a vital 17-16 North One West victory at Wilmslow.

Nick Aldersley made an excellent debut at full-back for the Blues with two well taken first-half tries. Mafa Akafilini also went in and one conversion gave them a key advantage in what turned out to be a thrilling encounter.