Southern Nomads pipped Ramsey 14-13 in a qualifier for the JW Lees Cheshire Plate.

The decisive score came from the boot of scrum half Dave Edge when he slotted home a late penalty.

Ramsey took the lead in the 22nd minute much against the run of play.

Nomads full-back Johnny Howarth fumbled a clearance kick to give Ramsey a penalty, which Shaun Wyllie knocked over for a 3-0 lead.

Nomads had dominated much of the early phases and they finally converted pressure into points in the 25th minute.

A catch and drive line-out set them up just short of the Ramsey line and number 8 Nick Pledger barged his way over from close range.

From the restart, however, Wyllie kicked Ramsey into a 6-5 lead with another penalty after Nomads handled on the ground.

As half-time approached, Nomads regained the advantage with an Edge penalty to put them 8-6 in front.

Jimmy Cubbon extended the Nomads lead just two minutes into the second half with a sweetly struck drop goal and, when Edge added his second penalty of the game with 10 minutes to go, Ramsey looked dead and buried at 14-6 down.

Ramsey club captain Tynan Pritchard then introduced himself into the game and his presence brought some stability to the creaking scrummage.

Inspired by their leader, Ramsey finally began to punch some holes in the Nomads defence and worked their way down the field.

When Nomads collapsed a driving maul, referee Bob Quayle had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try.

Wyllie converted but it left Ramsey agonisingly one point short and, with no time left, Nomads were the worthy winners.