Foden’s men quick off blocks after late start

Sep 26 2008 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

Chester 31 Bedford Athletic 10

A FREE-FLOWING first-half display set Chester on their way to their first Midlands One victory of the season on Saturday.

Having been narrowly beaten the previous week at Hinckley following a late lapse in concentration, Rob Foden’s side were in no mood to make the same mistakes again when Bedford rolled into town.

The match kicked off 15 minutes late because the visitors’ team coach was held up by traffic problems on the A51. And Chester capitalised on any rustiness in the Bedford players’ legs by powering into an early lead, Liam Lawton crashing over from a well-worked move.

Centre Tom Foden kicked the conversion for 7-0.

Seven minutes later, with the big Chester forwards rampaging through, scrum-half James Farrell darted over from close in to extend the lead.

With only 15 minutes gone, Chester then produced the move of the season so far with the ball travelling through various pairs of hands before No8 Ross White produced a sublime pass for debutant winger Jack Bromley to score, with Foden again converting.

Bedford put some points on the board with a Charlie Barker penalty to make it 19-3, but Chester hit back with a try by wing Simon Love – their Twickenham match-winner last season – who grounded a grubber kick into the corner from Foden.

With half-time approaching, Chester started to wilt in the late summer sunshine and a turnover allowed Bedford to register a late try through wing Joe Hunt. Barker kicked the conversion.

Points were harder to come by after the break, with both sides conceding needless penalties. There was no repeat of the first-half spectacle served up by Chester, although they did manage to add seven more points thanks to a second try of the match from Love.

Foden added the extras to put Chester 31-10 ahead, leaving Bedford with no way back into the game.

Chester’s next challenge is tomorrow’s trip to Broadstreet, who put 48 points on the board against Longton last Saturday.

Coach Foden said: “The mental preparation is very important this season, especially for away games.

“I am expecting a very tough game, but we are going with the confidence to bring back a victory.”