Rugby union: Bradford & Bingley 42 Chester 13

Oct 21 2010 Chester Chronicle

Bradford & Bingley 42Chester 13

CHESTER’S trip across the Pennines on Saturday ended in defeat and disappointment as they slumped to their first loss of the Division Three North season.

Bradford and Bingley, relegated from the league above last season, have been touted to make a swift return – and they were more than a match for a Chester team forced into changes due to injury and unavailability.

Chester – who are still second in the table – took the lead with an early penalty but Bradford roared back and quickly gained a 6-3 advantage thanks to a brace of Gavin Stead penalties.

The hosts now had their tails up and were playing with passion and speed.

They extended the lead with a well-taken try by Phil Greaves in the right hand corner, with the conversion added.

Chester fly-half Rhys Hayes narrowed the gap with a penalty but that hardly put Bradford off their stride and a further try saw then extend the lead to 14 points.

Worse was to follow for Chester when Bradford were awarded a penalty try following an indiscretion by skipper Andy Moore, which also led to him spending 10 minutes in the sin bin.

With a numerical advantage, Bradford cashed in and had forged their way to a 32-6 lead by half time.

After the break, it did not take long for the wheels to come off again for Chester, with flanker Mark Brooks finding himself sent to the sin bin.

Bradford added three more points to their tally before prop Ben Williams scored for Chester, Hayes converting.

But it was too little, too late and, to add insult to injury, Bradford scored a final try to put a convincing gloss on the scoreline.

Next up for Chester is a Hare Lane derby with old foes Birkenhead Park this Saturday. Kick-off is 3pm.