Chester welcomed Redruth on Saturday for a 2pm kick off in National 2 West eager to put the memory of a heavy defeat to Hinckley at Vicars Cross last time out and reinstate Fortress Hare Lane.
Things did not start to plan, however as the visitors regathered the initial kick off and 2 phases later exploited a midfield mismatch to put centre Jack Simmons over with less than 60 seconds played. Fly-half Dean Wills added the conversion and remained perfect off the kicking tee all afternoon.
Stung into action, Chester responded positively and from an attacking scrum on the Redruth 22 an incisive surge from left wing Harrison Vare and accurate pass allowed right wing Louis Beer to score in the corner. In his programme notes, coach Rhys Hayes identified that when Chester’s attack play is “on”, there are few better sides in this league. This was certainly one of those occasions. More were to follow. Morgan Bagshaw was unable to add the extras.
The visitors reacted well with elusive full-back Ethan Morgan an ever-present threat. Chester’s hard-working forwards ensured the home side were able to move down the field to the red zone with Man of the Match Josh Woods to the fore along with 2nd row Dylan Davies who put in an impressive shift.
Chester’s second try arrived on 19 minutes with back row Dave Jones, returning from injury, burrowing over following a short penalty. The penalty indiscretion reduced Redruth to 14 men as No6 Ed Pascoe was sin-binned for playing the ball on the floor following Harrison Vare’s break. Fly-half Sam Rogers extended Chester’s lead to 12-7
Against the 14 men, the home side began to turn the screw and gain some additional dominance. A long pass from Sam Rogers was collected by Louis Beer on the bounce and, as he drew defenders, his inside ball was collected by Morgan Bagshaw who outsprinted the cover defence for Chester’s third try.
The home side’s 1st half purple patch continued on 33 minutes as Chester elected to scrummage rather than land a kickable penalty. That decision was rewarded as scrum half Tommy Ellis looped around to take the scoring pass from Sam Rogers. Rogers converted the bonus point try to end the half 24-7.
Despite the scoreline, Redruth never looked out of the contest and there was enough in their 1st half display to imbue confidence that something could be got from this match.
It was Chester who started the 2nd half brightly and after some muscular carries from Josh Woods and replacement prop Dom Cleverley, No8 Jarad Willams dotted down for the home side's 5th try, close enough for the conversion formality from Rogers.
Some familiar defensive frailties allowed Redruth winger Jack Counter to live up to his name and set up attacking positions in the Chester 22 and from one of these hooker Jarrod Hambly scored from a driving lineout.
More excellent scavenging on the ground from flanker Harry Roberts won Chester a penalty on 50 minutes allowing the forwards to get to work and, although Dave Jones was stopped just short, Jarad Williams was in hand to spin out of the tackle and score his second and Chester’s 6th try of the afternoon to give Chester a 36-14 lead.
To their credit the visitors from Cornwall continued to threaten when they had the ball and their endeavour was rewarded with a try bonus point after tries from centre Sam James on 68 minutes and replacement hooker Oliver Darby on 79 minutes. In between these two scores Morgan Bagshaw landed a penalty to produce a final score of 39-28.
Chester join Redruth in 9th in National 2 West and travel to 13th placed Loughborough Students next Saturday looking to continue their points collection.

Full match video HERE