A determined Chester side capitalise on opponents errors and poor decision making.

Given the atrocious weather conditions leading up to the game and a heavy, muddy surface, this was never going to be a “try fest” but in fairness to the home side, they played the conditions far better then Stour!

The 80 miles journey took longer than expected and matters were not helped when first choice centre, Rob Connelly, pulled his hamstring just 15 minutes before kick off. Fortunately, George Morgan was on hand to step in but his hasty warm up was still in progress as the rest of his team mates ran out on to the pitch. At least the rain had stopped but it immediately became clear that the game would be punctuated by errors. Stour were soon awarded a penalty for the home defence not rolling away from a tackle. However, Chester regained possession when the lineout throw was not straight. After further passages of play, territorial advantage was fairly even between the sides with both teams showing promise and threats. However, after further knock on and penalty errors Stour conceded a lineout inside their own half and Chester 10 James Robins kicked to the right side corner. The resulting catch and drive saw No 2, Alick Croft crash over and Robins converted. 12 minutes gone and Chester were ahead.

The Stour kick off by Chris Scott was sent, grubber style, along the ground and his sensible, tactical kicking was one of the few highlight of the visitors’ afternoon. This allowed Stour to regain yardages that were lost through some otherwise poor decision making, handling errors and uncertain lineouts that gifted Chester unearned ball at key moments throughout the game. However, Stour did put together some nice phases countered by resolute defence. On 28 minutes a promising attack was denied when the referee’s attention was drawn to an off the ball incident and once again Chester could breathe a sigh of relief. They soon found another scoring opportunity with overlap advantage out left. However, the final pass was taken with outstretched arms that slowed the move down and allowed Stour to regroup. Turnover ball was secured but another knock on allowed Chester to counter. This too was followed by their turn to knock the ball forward.

Time was ticking away leaving the scoreboard untroubled thanks again to a crooked lineout ball after Stour won a penalty. Shortly after, a similar passage of play saw stolen ball in the lineout leaving DoR Neil Mitchell wondering what it would take to break the spell! The answer came after 39 minutes of play. Following a now familiar game plan, Scott’s tactical kicking was returned by Chester, straight to full back Nick David. He gathered the ball inside the 22 m line and broke out towards the half way line. Supported by forwards Tom Dodd and Niall Gibbons, the move progressed well inside Chester’s half and the final pass was sent to the man who started the whole thing off and David touched down towards the left corner. The conversion attempt was sent wide but at least the score was more respectable at 7 – 5.

The half time period was taken up with changes in personnel as well as playing shirts and in calm conditions it was Stourbridge who kicked off the second half. For the next 10 minutes the game see-sawed with both sides attacking, kicking and conceding penalties and possession. The visiting scrum started to work well and, combined with some strong carries by Tom Dodd, Stour were able to show the travelling faithful supporters that they were not giving up the fight. Unfortunately, referee Matthew Riley penalised one move for “crossing” but it was Stour’s turn to steal lineout ball which led to a penalty (Chester not rolling away in the tackle). Yet again, Stour gave away the ball after a high tackle. Robins’ kick failed to find touch but Stour were unable to secure any decent ball and pressure finally told when James Preston touched down making the score 12-5 with 53 minutes gone. Nine minutes later Matt Van Sertima (formerly of Wharfedale, Caldy and Sale) added 5 more points over in the left corner. The LH upright thwarted Robins’ kick but he can take some credit for the score. It came about when a Stour player was caught offside more through lazy running than foul play. The Fly Half punished the error via a long kick to the corner. Enter the Chester forwards whose patience and guile besieged the Stourbridge try line eventually finding Van Sertima.

Credit now to Stourbridge who were not going to give up the battle and they spent most of the next ten minutes inside Chester’s half. Two quick penalties found lineout ball and mauls whereby Jack Lea was unlucky not score with referee Riley calling that he was held up over the line. Stourbridge won the battle up front and secured a penalty for a Chester scrum infringement. Opting for another scrummage, the dominance was only going one way and a well deserved Penalty Try on 72 minutes made the score 17 – 12. Stourbridge were now just one score away from an unlikely victory but this had also left them with a possible consolation Bonus Point.

At this stage, the reader must now consider previous comments and periods of play that showed extreme generosity towards the hosts. We refer to poor decision-making and handling errors that eventually allowed replacement Alex Reed scoring with just 2 minutes remaining. James Robins made no mistake with the conversion and Stourbridge said goodbye to any bonus points.

Chester had avenged the previous loss when Stourbridge put 5 tries and 36 points against them in Week 5 of the season. This was on a dry pitch and with home advantage. Who is to say whether this could have been replicated if last Saturday’s conditions had been somewhat “firmer” and dryer? Notwithstanding, Chester played a better game and deserved their victory.

Hare Lane is likely to witness more victories as the season draws to a conclusion. In the coming weeks, they entertain Blaydon, both Sheffield sides and both Leicester teams. However, the fate of our own season may well rest in Chester’s hands when they host Tynedale for the last game of 2017/18.

The loss has meant that Stour drop to 4th in the table but still in sight of a promotion chance with 9 games left, 45 points available and a squad of exciting young talent keen to defend their selection chances against some strong opposition.

Next week we entertain old rivals Blaydon who are in 13th place with just 3 wins to their name and making the long trip down from Crow Trees in Newcastle. This will be no foregone conclusion given that the visitors are battling to avoid relegation for a second time in two seasons! Indeed, they have already beaten Chester (29-14) and narrowly lost to Tynedale (32-31). Their game against Luctonians was cancelled last weekend, which may mean fresh legs and time to recover from injuries.

With all to play for, make a date at Stourton Park next Saturday and feel free to cheer the boys on to a home victory!!