Rugby union: Late Andy Moore try keeps Chester in promotion hunt

Feb 4 2010 Chester Chronicle

Chester 17 Darlington MP 13

CHESTER had to draw on all their reserves of grit and determination to see off Mowden Park and keep their promotion bandwagon rolling.

With the first-team pitch at Hare Lane deemed unplayable due to the frost, Saturday’s match was switched to the home of Chester’s third team – a neighbouring muddy field which made free-flowing rugby almost impossible.

Despite the tough conditions, two superb tries were scored – but for the most part both sides found themselves locked in a dour war of attrition while the supporters shivered on the touchline.

It was one of those days when the end result was far more important than the quality of performance – and Chester director of rugby Tim Doig expects a similar battle at Beverley this Saturday.

He said: “They are difficult to beat at home and it will be another tough game. We’ll have to dog it out a little bit, I’m sure.”

Darlington, playing with the slope in their favour in the first half, opened up with a couple of early penalties. They were then harshly denied an opening try when their winger was adjudged to have knocked on in the act of scoring.

Chester edged into the lead when club captain Sean Green scored a superb try, running from inside his own half and grounding under the posts, making fly-half Rhys Hayes’ conversion a formality.

The lead then changed hands again when Darlington’s pacy winger notched an excellent solo try. A successful conversion made it 13-7, but a penalty from the trusty left boot of Hayes closed the gap to three points going into the break.

The second half was short on entertainment, with both sides struggling in the mud and Darlington showing little ambition.

Chester had to be patient but their reward came late on when a big push from the forwards allowed flanker Andy Moore to crash over in the corner.

Hayes added the extras and Chester put up the barricades, denying Darlington a route back into the game.

No8 Will Bown and scrum-half James Farrell were on duty for North Wales representative side Gogledd Cymru last weekend but return to the selection frame for Saturday’s Division Three North trip to Beverley.

Giant former Ospreys second-rower Mark Jones, signed from Caernarfon last week, is expected to make his debut for third-placed Chester.

Christleton lost 50-7 at home to Moore 2nds in Division Four West of the Miller Homes League on Saturday.