BackSat 15 Mar 2025 · National League 2 North
1st XVLeeds Tykes
26
41
Chester 26 - 41 Leeds Tykes
Tim Carty
Excellent first half performance not enough
Chester went down to a successive home defeat to a Yorkshire team as Leeds Tykes cemented their place at the top of National 2 North with a dominant 2nd half performance at Hare Lane on Saturday.
It had all looked very promising up to half time after a monster Sam Earl-Jones penalty from well inside his half sent Chester into the break with a 23-19 lead.
Chester opened the first half scoring with an early Morgan Bagshaw penalty before the Leeds pack started to flex its' muscles. The front row union combined on 10 and 18 minutes as first prop Toby Williams breached Chester's defence followed by hooker Adam Brown crashing over. Scrum half Kit Keith was only able to convert one of these efforts.
What followed was 20 minutes of some of the best rugby witnessed at Hare Lane from the home side. Chester attacked from deep, in numbers and with great pace putting the league leaders firmly on the back foot. Vice captain Dave Jones from No8 scored, followed by a superb length of the field effort combining great running lines and handling for wing Ben Ivory to restore Chester's lead. Not to be outdone centre Andrew Mcminimee, continuing his great performance from Hull last week, glided between a transfixed defensive line to score wide out without a hand being laid on him (pictured: credit Jonathan Cain). Bagshaw converted one of the three tries and in between Leeds No8 Ed Brown scored the first of what would be a hat-trick of scores.
Ominously the second half began in the same fashion as the first half ended with the Tykes forwards applying pressure and No8 Brown dotted down. Leeds now appeared to have found a way to win the game as their larger and technically efficient forward pack began to exert more influence on the style of play. Another huge Earl-Jones penalty, again from well inside the Chester half brought the home side back into the game, but 2 yellow cards, for Harry Graham and Tom Clarke, were too much of a handicap. Chester, under the strain of defending, fell foul of the referee through much of the second period. Three further tries followed, the last just on the final whistle, as both Browns, Ed and Adam, competed a hat trick of scores. Disappointingly, and despite best efforts ,Chester were unable to find a fourth try and bonus point.
It had all looked very promising up to half time after a monster Sam Earl-Jones penalty from well inside his half sent Chester into the break with a 23-19 lead.
Chester opened the first half scoring with an early Morgan Bagshaw penalty before the Leeds pack started to flex its' muscles. The front row union combined on 10 and 18 minutes as first prop Toby Williams breached Chester's defence followed by hooker Adam Brown crashing over. Scrum half Kit Keith was only able to convert one of these efforts.
What followed was 20 minutes of some of the best rugby witnessed at Hare Lane from the home side. Chester attacked from deep, in numbers and with great pace putting the league leaders firmly on the back foot. Vice captain Dave Jones from No8 scored, followed by a superb length of the field effort combining great running lines and handling for wing Ben Ivory to restore Chester's lead. Not to be outdone centre Andrew Mcminimee, continuing his great performance from Hull last week, glided between a transfixed defensive line to score wide out without a hand being laid on him (pictured: credit Jonathan Cain). Bagshaw converted one of the three tries and in between Leeds No8 Ed Brown scored the first of what would be a hat-trick of scores.
Ominously the second half began in the same fashion as the first half ended with the Tykes forwards applying pressure and No8 Brown dotted down. Leeds now appeared to have found a way to win the game as their larger and technically efficient forward pack began to exert more influence on the style of play. Another huge Earl-Jones penalty, again from well inside the Chester half brought the home side back into the game, but 2 yellow cards, for Harry Graham and Tom Clarke, were too much of a handicap. Chester, under the strain of defending, fell foul of the referee through much of the second period. Three further tries followed, the last just on the final whistle, as both Browns, Ed and Adam, competed a hat trick of scores. Disappointingly, and despite best efforts ,Chester were unable to find a fourth try and bonus point.
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