This was another fixture with little at stake, both sides certain of retaining league status next season, but that was of scant consolation to the travelling supporters who saw a disjointed performance with Stour regularly shipping penalties and unable to hang onto the ball for any length of time. Despite losing tighthead Mark George to injury in the opening exchanges the Stour pack had achieved scrum dominance by the hour mark, forcing Chester to re-introduce subbed 2nd row Ross White, but the visitors were unable to turn pressure into points and were denied even a consolation score as their composure deserted them.

Bar just a 2nd start of the season for winger Cory Venus the Stour selection looked fairly familiar, albeit with captain Ciaran Moore forced into 2nd row duties due to injury & unavailability. On a heavy Hare Lane surface the hosts kicked off with a gusting breeze making life difficult for kickers.

A set of short range drives by Chester produced the opening try for flanker Kyle Joseph. A high tackle gave White a shot at goal to reduce the deficit but it rebounded off the upright & the hosts scrambled it clear. The game struggled to flow but with Chester feeding off turnovers they had ground their way back into the Stour 22 late in the half when scrum half Joe Heatley was sinbinned for offside. Outside half Callum Bennett landed the penalty kick to make it 10-0 at the half.

The 2nd half started no less scrappy, frequent blasts of referee Ben Davis’ whistle continuing to hinder continuity of play. A break by 2nd row Chris Depper set up an attacking platform in the Chester 22 but a Stour runner got isolated and the chance went begging. Chester worked a move from a lineout on the Stour 22 & 2nd row White was worked over the tryline. Stour came back with a penalty award kicked to touch deep in the Chester 22 but their driving maul got held up. The pack forced a penalty at a short-range scrum, but rather than go again they tapped and ran and saw the ball stripped in the tackle. Chester cleared and from a scrum in midfield produced another set move for centre Tom Foden to score.

Stour threw the kitchen sink into a final assault but were again penalised in possession and their frustration started to get the better of them. The rain finally stopped but the turnovers didn’t, Stour driven back into their 22 and conceded a bonus-point try to a well-executed catch & drive for Chester no.8 Dave Ford.