Foden’s warning over Hare Lane ‘fortress’

Dec 5 2008 Chester Chronicle

Newport (Salop) 18 Chester 14

CHESTER head coach Rob Foden has told his players they need to “get their act together” if they want to keep their proud home record intact tomorrow.

Chester are unbeaten at Hare Lane this season, but they lost on their travels at Malvern in the EDF Intermediate Cup a fortnight ago and were edged out at Newport on Saturday.

With Malvern due at Hare Lane tomorrow for a Midlands One clash (2.15pm kick-off), Foden is calling for a big improvement.

He said: “It is simple as far as I am concerned. We have got to get our act together, both physically and mentally. We need to get rid of the ability to stop playing our rugby midway through games we should win.

“We have not been performing anywhere near our best for the last couple of weeks and we will need to do this if we are to keep fortress Hare Lane intact this weekend.”

At Newport on Saturday, Chester were unable to prevent the home side from gaining revenge for last season’s EDF Intermediate Cup semi-final defeat.

Both sides cancelled each other out early on but the stalemate was eventually broken when Chester prop James Whitelock-Wainwright conceded a penalty on the edge of the 22, for which he received a yellow card. The kick was duly converted and, within two minutes, Newport’s lead had extended to 6-0 with another penalty.

Chester responded by going 7-6 up when an overlap was created for Ross White to round the final man and score. Tom Foden added the extras but, before the half-time whistle sounded, Newport had regained the lead at 13-7 thanks to a converted try.

The second half started at a frantic pace and, within minutes, Chester were back in front thanks to an individual try by Foden. Receiving the ball on the halfway line, he looked up to spy a gap in the Newport defence and stepped his way clear to score under the posts, allowing himself an easy conversion.

With time running out, the big Newport pack started to turn the screw and with some clever kicking forced Chester back into their 22.

When Chester prop Tim Padmore was caught offside and sent to the sin bin, Newport made their numerical advantage pay. From the resulting penalty, a scrum was opted for and the ball was finally moved wide for the Newport wing to score in the corner and give his side victory.

Chester 2nds won 21-10 at Fylde last Saturday but they will be without up-and-coming back Jack Bromley for some time after he broke his leg in training.