The scoreline at the end of 80 minutes hard fought rugby did Chester a great disservice, as 2 late Sedgley Park tries might give the impression that the home side’s bonus point win was much simpler than the facts suggest. In truth, up until the final 5 minutes, Chester were very much in this game against the current National 2 North leaders and favourites for promotion.
The introduction of replacements for the home side for the final quarter of an hour provided an impetus and energy that Chester failed to match.
The game started so well for the Hare Lane side as they jumped out to a 10-point lead. Wing Harrison Vare opened the scoring after Sean Green collected a cross field kick and Chester recycled the ball on the blind side via Kyle Joseph and a well-timed pass from returning full back Gethin Long. Liam Reeve added a penalty on 13 minutes.
Chester’s restructured pack, with skipper Harry Wilkinson slotting into the back row allowing a powerful engine room of Mike Byrne and Jimmy Lloyd, competed strongly against a well-organised home forward unit. The home side got on the scoreboard and back into the game when a deft chip kick beat the Chester rush defence and veteran centre Matt Riley dotted down. A second converted try from hooker Dan Maher gave Sedgley a 4 point lead that was pegged back to a point when on the stroke of half time Liam Reeve landed his second penalty.
The third quarter of the match remained scoreless as both sides spurned opportunities to take control of the game. The tension eased for the home side as full back Andy Riley scored wide out, only for Chester to claw their way back to just a point deficit when replacement hooker Alick Croft (pictured) rumbled over on 67 minutes. As the visitor’s energy began to flag, replacement back row Valu Tane Bentley gave Sedgley some breathing space, and then busy scrum half Jacob Tansey, on 79 minutes, gave the scoreline a final lop-sided look.