This match saw very even first half with the visitors narrowly ahead writes Des Hickie. The second half was increasingly controlled by Chester after several weeks in the doldrums.

Full Match Video HERE

There four tries in the first half, but only two scorers, with a brace each from Chester right wing Louis Beer and from Barnstaple hooker Bertie Stretch. Beer’s tries each came from strong touchline runs as his side moved the ball into space in the 14th and 34 minutes. This despite a downpour, which began early on and continued throughout. Stretch’s pair each came from powerfully driven Barnstaple lineouts deep in the home 22. Fullback Sellick converted the second on half-time.

The home fans worries at the break seemed justified as Chester built second half pressure but crucial passes went astray. However, the home side gradually ratcheted up the territorial pressure. As captain Harry Craven commented, “We had to dig deep to come through, but we stuck to our game plan and our hard work in the week paid off.” The Chester half-backs, Craven and Morgan Bagshaw, were kicking well, pinning Barnstaple back in their 22. In contrast, Barnstaple’s kicks from deep defence were loose and gave Chester’s back three opportunities to run the ball back at them. The dam finally broke in the 53rd minute. Scrum-half Craven tapped a penalty in the visitors’ 22. He was tackled by an offside defender who was binned. Beer then completed his hat-trick 4 minutes later. Chester used good scrum ball to set up a series of carries before the ball was moved right to find him unmarked in space. Bagshaw converted from the touchline, making it 17-12.

It was now one way traffic. In difficult conditions Chester’s lineout improved, but Barnstaple’s did not. They conceded a penalty try and a second yellow card on 66 minutes following a

driven lineout. Bagshaw stretched the lead with a 35 metre penalty soon after. To their credit Barnstaple came back with a consolation try, following their only sustained attack of the half with a converted try from Chapman.

A relieved Chester Head Coach, Rhys Hayes, commented, “This was a must win game for us, given our recent form but we mustn’t get too carried away. The players deserve credit, coming back from a heavy defeat last week, but we still need to learn not to overplay and show more
patience on the ball - then the scores will come.”
Pic Credit: Jonathan Cain
Star player – Harry Craven (Chester)

1. Teams

Chester

Cleverley, Robson, Clarke, Powell-Jones, Joseph, Roebuck, Morris, Williams, Craven, Bagshaw, Vare, Hamilton, Ivory, Beer, Rogers.

Subs. Hanson, Woods, Turnbull, Ellis, Hayes.

Barnstaple

Snell, Stretch, Turner, Marks, Hilton, Darley, Lee, Kotobalavu, Lambert, Petherbridge, Grizzle-Johnson, Carter, Lee, Parsons, Sellick.

Subs. Davies, Vickery, Jago, Swan, Chapman.

2. Scores and Scorers

Final Score: 27-19

Half time Score: 10-12

Scorers:

Chester –