Beverley 21 Chester 9

CHESTER’S miserable record at Beaver Park continued on Saturday as they slipped further off the title pace.

Chester have never won at Beverley’s home ground and they did not look like chalking up their maiden victory there at the weekend.

It was a costly result for Tim Doig’s side, who slip down from second to third in the National League Division Three North table.

Beverley, who are battling for survival, tore into their opponents’ half from the kick-off and won an early penalty in front of the posts to go 3-0 up.

But Chester’s response was swift.

A strong run by Tom Blackwell was halted illegally five metres from the try-line, allowing Lloyd Hayes to level the score at 3-3.

Then it was Beverley’s turn to put some more points on the board.

From the kick-off, the hosts exploited a gap on the blind-side of the Chester defence and crossed the try-line near to the posts.

The conversion was added to make it 10-3.

Chester cut the gap with a Hayes penalty which came following a small period of pressure.

But Beverley had the last say before half time. They once again exploited space on the blind-side and and scored a try in the corner.

The conversion was missed, meaning the score at the interval was 15-6 to the East Riding hosts.

Chester were read the riot act at half time and they produced a swift response as another penalty by Hayes made it 15-9 early in the second half.

However, it proved to be nothing more than a false dawn for Chester.

A litany of mistakes prevented them from adding to their total and the contest soon went off the boil.

Chester won the territorial battle but, more often than not, silly penalties would allow the home side the chance to relieve the pressure.

It was a series of these needless penalties and, worse still, comments to the referee that saw Beverley advance upfield and win a 76th-minute penalty.

It was gladly converted, making the score 18-9.

Then right before the final whistle, Beverley added another three-pointer to finish up 21-9 winners.

Chester are now a distant 17 points behind leaders Darlington Mowden Park.

Rossendale jumped up to second, one place above Chester, on Saturday, with a 33-7 home win over Burnage.

Chester’s next match is a derby at Birkenhead Park this Saturday.