Chester 20 - 20 Fylde

23rd April 2022

Half-time Score: 10-5

Star Man: Ben Ivory (Chester 13)

Attendance: 300

This match was close throughout. A strong easterly wind largely dictated play – but not as you’d predict. Neither side used the wind to dominate field position. Both controlled territory keeping the ball in hand into the wind, and defended well with it behind them.

Chester began battering the Fylde line, but were kept out by canny defence. In the 16th minute, Fylde staged a rare breakout. Slick handling created space down their left for winger Grimes to score untouched from 25 metres. Eventually, though, the home pressure told. First Fylde lock Garrod was binned, and Chester hooker Robson scored from the back of a driven lineout. Then a prolonged attack sucked in the visitors’ defence, leaving Chester fullback Long in open space on the left wing. A perfect cross kick allowed him to gather and step a despairing defender for the try.

The second half was controlled by Fylde ball in hand. They scored early, pressuring the home defence for centre Rawlings to cross. However, Chester’s defence resisted, scrambling and mauling effectively. They eventually cracked after the hour. Prolonged pressure created a 2 man overlap on the left for fullback Turner to score. At 17-10 up Fylde were cruising. But, with 13 minutes left they imploded. Garrod was sent off for a second card and, within a minute, Lanigan was binned. This allowed Chester to drive over for a converted try. However, Fylde’s restart was dropped and poor Chester discipline allowed them to work a penalty to tie the scores.

Teams

Chester

15. Long
14. Roberts
13. Ivory
12. Scott
11. Craven
10. Malik
9. Phillips
1. Woods
2. Robson
3. Williams
4. Wilkinson (c)
5. Lloyd
6. Ford
7. Brearey
8. Farrar

16. Furnival
17. Reed
19. Spalding
20. Baxter
22. Holloway

Fylde

15. Turner
14. Lanigan
13. Forster
12. Rawlings
11. Grimes
10. Smith
9. Sturgess
1. Barrow
2. Gregory
3. Ashcroft
4. Parkinson
5. Garrod
6. Partington
7. O’Ryan
8. Fairbother

16. Kyle-Clay
17. Blake
19. Parker
22. Clayton
24. Lewis

Referee

Mr. Watson

Timeline of Scores and Scorers

16 mins. Fylde try by Grimes, 5-0

29 mins. Chester try by Robson, 5-5

38 mins. Chester try by Long, 10-5

44 mins. Fylde try by Rawlings, 10-10

63 mins. Fylde try by Turner, converted Smith, 10-17

68 mins. Chester penalty by Scott, 13-17

70 mins. Chester try by Woods, converted by Scott, 20-17

75 mins. Fylde penalty by Smith, 20-20.