Rugby union: Chester 48 Beverley 0

Oct 6 2011 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle

Chester 48 Beverley 0

CHESTER’S flawless start to the season continued with a thumping victory over their bogey side at Hare Lane on Saturday.

With the temperature reaching 28 degrees before kick-off, red-hot Chester ran in eight tries without reply to make it five wins from five and maintain their position at the top of National League Three North.

The deadlock was broken in the fourth minute when man-of-the-match Josh Leach released the backline after clean ball was won at the lineout and Lloyd Hayes found the gap outside his opposite number to score.

Pete Rees – recalled to the team after Sean Green failed a late fitness test – came close to extending the advantage when he made a scintillating run to within five metres of the Beverley line.

But over-eagerness caused a knock-on and the visitors cleared the danger.

The game was developing into a midfield war of attrition and there was a quiet relief around the ground when the referee blew for a water break 20 minutes in.

The break did Chester the world of good and they pulled further in front when Liam McGovern put up a huge up-and-under kick which Hayes reacted fastest to. The goal-kicker tapped the ball back to the hardworking Andy Moore who released Tom Seddon to score his first try for the club.

Another high kick from McGovern and more good work from Moore resulted in the exciting Rees going over toward the end of the first half before prop Ben Latham sealed the bonus point after an excellent forwards drive.

The hosts were now in full flow and they went on to score a trio of tries in the space of 10 minutes – the first and best of which went to big second row Ross White.

The pack won a scrum against the head in their own half allowing Leach to break. The ball then travelled through nine pairs of hands before White touched down.

Ben Williams then crossed from 20 metres after Pat Coy made a superb dash down the right before Coy left the opposition trailing in his wake to get in on the act.

It was left up to Hayes to complete the romp with his second try of the match following a fine break by Leach.

Chester head to mid-table Waterloo on Saturday (3pm).