CHESTER RFC 9 v DMPRFC 15

Chester RFC were certainly good value for their losing bonus point and will possibly think themselves unlucky to lose the game, however, despite their endeavours throughout, the visitors DMPRFC, although not firing on all cylinders, looked capable of just stepping up that extra gear when the ‘chips were down’.

Chester RFC started brightly, retaining possession and taking the game to DMPRFC from the off.

In a clean, hard game, a brief altercation between the two packs early doors came to nothing and it was just reward for their good start, when the home side were awarded a penalty, which was gratefully accepted and slotted, putting Chester RFC in front after 13 minutes (0 – 3).

Chester applied more pressure and the same home player struck a sweet drop-goal, doubling his teams advantage (0 – 6).

DMPRFC responded from a catch and drive lineout, with flanker Jack ALLCOCK emerging from the melee, having dotted down the ball for the score (6 – 5).

DMPRFC were struck an early blow just prior to oranges, when prop Henry SANDYS was forced to leave the field, replaced by Josh BAYFORD.

The scrums and lineout’s were pretty even affairs, with neither set of forwards dominant in that regard.

Just prior to the interval, another penalty success was recorded by Chester RFC and with the whistle for half-time, Chester deserved their slender advantage, as the players returned to the dressing rooms.

Chester emerged for the second half making a couple of changes, but DMPRFC remained the same, save for the initial prop replacement.

Both sides tried to impose themselves on the opposition after the break, with neither establishing superiority, as both defences stood firm, despite several good attacks by forwards and backs.

Along pass from the visitors on the half way was intercepted and as the Chester player sprinted to register under the posts, the official had seen him straying offside, but he and the home crowd thought they had broken through.

DMPRFC emptied the bench in a fifteen minute period towards the final quarter, in an attempt to introduce the required spark towards victory.

Another long pass conjured a genuine break for the line by Chester. But this was thwarted down the wing by visiting centre Callum MACKENZIE, with a magnificent cover tackle, which certainly stopped a certain try, which seemed to galvanise DMPRFC and for the final quarter, as traffic was one way in their favour.

Scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN provided DMPRFC with the required winning spark, when seeing the opportunity, he sniped in for a score under the posts, which broke Chester’s collective hearts (9 – 10). Replacement fly half Tom HODGSON added the conversion (9 – 12).

A further penalty was added by the same player (9 – 15), as DMPRFC upped the ante, but when the final whistle blew, DMPRFC certainly knew they had been in a game.