By Nic Barnes
Chorley Panthers are through to the North West open age final after a thrilling 24-22 victory over Shevington Sharks.
Chorley started the game well and went 12-0 up after 25 minutes thanks to two tries from Daniel Croniken and successful conversions from Shaun McNicholas.
Shevington managed to claw some points back before the break though after brilliant wing play mixed with sloppy Panthers defending. Chorley went into half time 12-10 up.
Shevington started the brighter of the two in the second half and went into a 12-22 lead after some good running from their wingers.
Ben Roscoe was then shown red for Panthers after a high tackle provoked a brawl between himself and the Shevington number eight.
But incredibly Chorley fought on and tries from Conner Baxter and another from Croniken made it 20-22 with five minutes left.
A penalty was given deep in the Shevington half which allowed McNicholas to find space and score the try that sends Chorley through to the final.
The final will be played Saturday the 29th April at Victory Park against Wigan St Judes.