Chester RUFC moved up to eighth place on the National League Two North ladder courtesy of a 30-13 victory over Huddersfield at Hare Lane.
Having suffered back-to-back losses to Harrogate and Leicester Lions, the visit of the West Yorkshire strugglers gave Jon Aby’s side the perfect chance to return to winning ways.
Chester produced a patient performance to claim a well deserved success, which put a huge dent in Huddersfield’s hopes of avoiding relegation with the visitors now 18 points from safety.
The division’s bottom club were 15-8 behind at half-time thanks to tries from Rhys Hayes and Tom Foden along with five points via the boot of Callum Bennett, although a Chris Bell penalty and Alex Battye’s try kept Huddersfield to within a converted score.
Bennett stretched Chester’s lead with a penalty following the interval before Lewis Workman darted over for the visitors to reduce the deficit to five points.
But two late tries from David Ford and another for in-form Hayes secured the win for Aby’s men and left Huddersfield now knowing they have a mountain to climb to stay in the fourth tier of English rugby.
Chester are in action at Hare Lane again on Saturday when Tynedale, who are fourth from bottom and one point above the relegation places, are the visitors (2.15pm).
Elsewhere, former King’s School pupil and Chester player George Nott will be hoping to make his third sucessive start for England under-20s against Wales at Ashton Gate in Bristol tomorrow evening.
The 20-year-old lock, who has been on dual-registration with junior club Chester from Aviva Premiership side Sale Sharks, has made two Six Nations appearances, starting in the 42-7 win over Italy and the 26-20 defeat at the hands of Ireland last time out.
Two defeats from their opening three games leaves England fourth in the standings and with only a very slim chance of defending their title.
