CHESTER ROMANS secured a crucial first win of the season over Lancashire Wolverines in their recent American football clash.

After showing incredible fighting spirit to reduce the deficit against a rampant Sandwell Steelers in the second half of their last fixture, the Romans continued where they left off.

Lancashire twice took the lead in the game, but twice the Romans battled back before eventually securing an important 20-14 win, their first in four games.

The victory sees the team rise to fourth in their six-team NFC 1 South American football league and sets up an intriguing match with second-placed Shropshire Revolution on May 19.

Speaking about the result, Chester Romans Head Coach, Levi Edwards, said: “It was really big for us.

“We carried over the momentum from last week (against Sandwell) and used it to carry us to victory. The key was composure, determination, and who wanted it the most.

“I’m pleased with the strong, physical football we played, and we will continue fighting in this league.

Every match is a must-win game, but there’s a lot of really good teams in this division, and anyone can beat anyone on any given day.

Lancashire went into an early two-point lead when they forced a safety, but the Romans responded soon after when Rory Mansfield scored a touchdown to put his side 6-2 in front.

The visitors then scored a touchdown of their own to regain their two-point lead with the scores at 8-6 to the Wolverines.

Another Lancashire touchdown seemed to take the game away from Chester at 14-6, but once again the team showed grit and determination.

Rory Mansfield scored his second touchdown of the game to make it 14-12, before Craig Wright ran in another down to give the Romans a four-point lead.

And Chester forced a safety late on to secure a 20-14 victory which sees the side leapfrog their opponents into fourth in the table.

About his team’s performance, Edwards added: “Everyone played really well, and the whole team clicked nicely.

“The Quarterbacks spread the ball about well, while the offensive line all had great games. Rory (Mansfield) is Mr Reliable, and it’s great to have people like him in the squad.”

The Romans are now preparing to welcome Shropshire on Sunday, May 19, but a day before that, their youth team counterparts will host their first tournament of the season on Saturday, May 19.

Last time out, the Under-16 Chester team powered to three wins from three in Manchester and will be looking to repeat the feat in front of their own supporters at the Cheshire County Sports Club this weekend.

And congratulations are in order for Steve Wilson, who was awarded with his own Chester Romans jersey after being chosen as the lucky winner of a recent Facebook competition by the team.