Five missed kicks at goal proved crucial as both sides scored 5 tries at a sunny Hare Lane on Saturday. Chester's unbeaten run stretching back to November ended as the visitors from Bristol proved more accurate throughout the game.
It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance that will have frustrated Head Coach Rhys Hayes as some excellent attacking rugby was intermingled with periods of passive defence that was exploited by a lively scrum half and back three from Old Reds. A combative back row showing from the visitors also proved difficult to match.
Old Redcliffians started brightly, running the ball from all parts and took the lead on 5 minutes as scrum half Andrew Butler landed a 35 yard penalty, the first of his 21 points of the afternoon, and displaying an accuracy the home kickers were unable to match. The lead was extended on 12 minutes following a 5 yard scrum. First phase ball and a weak tackle attempt allowed full back Finn Murphy to score.
Chester dominated the next phases of play and although there was plenty of effort, there was no reward as good defence and frustrating errors, such as a knock on from a quick tap penalty, kept the scoreboard on the home side blank. In contrast, Old Reds extended their lead after hooker Tom McLean breached the defence from halfway and passed inside to Butler who scored under the posts. With the conversion added, Old Reds led 0-15. It was important for the home side to score next but the visitors had other ideas and despite the ball being lost forward in a tackle, No8 Jack Weston punched a hole in the defence and off loaded to prop Joe Rogers to score by the posts. The conversion from Butler took the lead to 0-22. Chester finally breached the away defence as they remained organised during a driving maul from just inside the 22 and No8 Jarad Williams (pictured) crashed over. Sam Rogers landed the conversion. Old Reds slow walk back for the kick off perhaps indicated that the pace of the game and the fast track was beginning to take a toll on their big forwards. Perhaps sensing this Chester upped the intensity and following good work from prop Tom Clarke, an inside pass from Rogers gave wing Harrison Vare space to outpace the defence and score a fine try and reduce the deficit to 10 points at half time.
Chester started the 2nd half brightly and within a couple of minutes reduced the lead further. Incursions from Ben Ivory and Ferg Tuite set up a ruck 10 metres out and Williams, taking the ball at pace from scrum half Harry Craven was unstoppable to score under the posts. Rogers landed the easiest of conversions to bring the score to 19-22 and confidence that the game was there to be won. The game however turned on 51 minutes as Chester, beginning to gain ascendancy territorially and in possession, gained a penalty 24m out in front. A successful kick would draw the score level and maintain the hard won momentum the home side had gained. The attempt was unsuccessful, and to compound matters the visitors worked their way upfield and from a tap penalty, second row Haydn Barnes scored. Butler added the conversion and then extended the lead after another quick tap penalty as the home side prepared for a lineout. An impressive touchline conversion took the score to 19-36 and beyond the home side. To their credit, Chester completed the game strongly and added two late tries from close range through prop Josh Woods and replacement back row Kyle Joseph. Neither were improved, underlining the off the tee difficulties throughout the game. Chester gained a try bonus point and a losing bonus point but, despite the fine showing from Old Redcliffians, this game was there to be won.
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