Kells Under-16s have moved into the semi-finals of the BARLA National Cup - and picked up some league points along the way.

The talented youngsters opened their North West Counties account against Latchford on Sunday.

But the game was used as a double header, also counting as the quart-final of the National Cup.

Kells opened the scoring with Clarke Chambers the first over the whitewash, with Kieran Fleming tagging on the extras.

The home side then moved further into the lead when Daniel Grears touched down, with Fleming again on target for 12-0.

But, just on the stroke of half time, Latchford struck back with a try for Jake Warburton and a touchline conversion from the boot of David Evans.

This meant Kells' lead was cut in half at the break but this didn't deter the home side from their path.

The second half opened and Kells struck right back with a second try for Chambers, with Fleming slotting over the two-pointer.

Ellis Selkirk was next to cross the line, this time Fleming was unsuccessful but Kells had stretched their lead out to 22-6.

It looked like a Latchford comeback might have been on the cards when Charlie McCurrie crossed the try line and Evans added the extras.

But Daniel Grears put an end to their hopes when he scored a fantastic try in the bottom corner to kill off the game at 26-12.

Kells full-back Oliver Burns capped a fine performance with the man-of-the-match award, alongside Latchford's Mathew Nash.

Kells now also move into the semi-final of the National Cup where they will host Halton Farnworth on May 27.