Foden’s men turn up heat in chase for title

Feb 6 2009 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

Chester 19 Kettering 16

CHESTER closed to within two points of Midlands One leaders Luctonians on Saturday courtesy of a nail-biting home win over Kettering.

While Luctonians were slipping to a heavy home defeat to Peterborough, Rob Foden’s men were busy preserving their unbeaten record at Hare Lane – but it was a close-run thing.

In a thrilling game for the neutral, Chester twice came from behind.

Kettering had made their intentions clear from the kick-off, looking to move the ball wide quickly.

The visitors opened the scoring with a penalty, but Chester responded with a brilliant individual try from Tom Foden.

Receiving the ball in midfield, he found the smallest of gaps and two more sidesteps took him clear, leaving the opposition floundering.

With only the fullback to beat, Foden neatly stepped around him and accelerated away to score under the posts, leaving Frank Lynch an easy conversion.

Kettering pegged the score back 10 minutes later with another penalty to make it 7-6 at the break.

The away side retook the lead with an opportunistic try after the restart, but Ross White brought Chester back to within a point of Kettering – at 13-12 – when he crashed over following a series of scrums.

A penalty saw Kettering stretch their advantage to four points, setting up a tense final phase to the game. But Chester were in no mood to lose their 100% Hare Lane record this season, and they dug deep.

From some well-placed kicks, quick ball from a ruck followed and fast passing through the backs saw skipper Sean Green score out wide. Foden’s conversion took the score from 17-16 to 19-16, and Chester were able to hold on and close down the final 20 minutes.

Kettering piled on the pressure, but the hosts stood up to the onslaught.

Foden’s men are without a fixture this weekend. They resume their Midlands One programme with a trip to Peterborough tomorrow week.