Rugby union: Sandal 27 Chester 24

Oct 26 2011 Chester Chronicle

Sandal 27 Chester 24

CHESTER’S winning run is over but head coach Dave Craven says that plenty of important lessons will be learnt from his team’s first loss of the season.

A late flurry of points from hosts Sandal condemned Chester to defeat on Saturday, ending their blistering run of seven wins on the spin in National Three North.

But Craven refused to come down too hard on his players.

He said: “The result is not a massive setback and it warns us against future complacency as every team in this division has the quality to win games.”

Chester are still top of the table, but they have been caught by Darlington Mowden Park, who are being kept in second by points difference alone.

Craven said: “We still have the capacity to win the league, but it is all about maintaining consistency.”

The Chester boss will be hoping that his charges can return to winning ways when they take on Rossendale at Hare Lane this Saturday (3pm).

“Rossendale are up to third in the table and playing well,” said Craven. “Saturday will be a real test but I am hopeful we can get a result.”

After a strong start from Chester on Saturday, they suffered a late charge from Sandal which saw the home side snatch victory.

Centre Lloyd Hayes was the star man for the visitors, helping himself to a hat-trick of tries, while Tom Evans came off the bench to score his second try in consecutive games. The boot of Liam McGivern also proved to be an increasingly vital weapon for Chester as he kicked two conversions.

James Stewart and Dan McCormack both went over for hosts Sandal, but it was Tom Hodson who won the game for the West Yorkshire side. The fullback racked up 17 points, including a late penalty which ultimately edged the game for the home side.