Rugby union: Burnage 18 Chester 31

Nov 10 2011 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle

Burnage 18 Chester 31

CHESTER returned to winning ways on Saturday with a solid performance on the 3G pitch at Varley Park.

After back-to-back defeats knocked them off top spot, the second-placed Hare Lane outfit overcame a difficult start to get their title challenge back on track.

Burnage hit the straps straight from the kick-off – befitting a team who train and play regularly on the synthetic surface – and injury-hit Chester’s cause was not helped when No 8 Will Bown fell awkwardly and had to be taken off.

But the visitors withstood the early pressure and with virtually their first foray into the opposition half, took the lead with a Lloyd Hayes penalty.

From the restart, Chester let the ball bounce but the reliable Josh Leach cleared up and found his fly-half Liam McGovern in space.

McGovern used it to his advantage and then freed his backs, who having been starved of possession galloped over the ground.

With players coming from all directions to support, the passing was swift and it was McGovern who finished off a move he started back in his own 22.

Hayes kicked the conversion before he went over in the corner following a fast break from prop Ben Williams.

Hayes added the extras and after Burnage hit back with two quick penalties, he converted his second penalty of the match to give his side a 20-6 half-time lead.

That lead was reduced to nine points shortly after the break when a well-worked line-out move saw the Manchester hosts drive over.

Back came Chester and with McGovern’s intelligent kicking causing all sorts of problems, Hayes knocked over two more penalties.

Burnage made a rod for their own backs when one of their props was shown a straight red card for an unprovoked attack on outstanding back-row Ross White. But they did manage to give themselves hope with a breakaway converted try.

That flame of hope was extinguished, however, when James Purdy and White set up hardworking skipper Andy Moore to score.

Chester host Penrith on Saturday (2.15pm).

Christleton’s losing run continued when they lost 24-14 at home to University of Liverpool Vets.