Chester 8 Darlington Mowden Park 16
CHESTER’S attempt to snatch a play-off place on the final day of the regular season ended in disappointment.
The Hare Lane side went into Saturday’s match with an outside chance of moving up from third to second in Division Three North.
But defeat to league champions Darlington – coupled with a narrow 15-14 win for second-placed Rossendale at Waterloo – dashed Chester’s hopes.
It also meant that Dave Craven, who is standing down after three years as head coach, tasted defeat in his final match in charge.
Chester took a 3-0 lead when a fine break by Pat Coy led to the visitors being caught offside, allowing Lloyd Hayes to kick the resulting penalty.
But Darlington quickly hit back with a penalty of their own before moving into an 8-3 lead, scoring a try from a ruck on the hosts’ line.
On 52 minutes, Darlington extended their lead with a penalty. Eight minutes later, a well-taken try saw them lead 16-3 and the game looked to be all over.
Hayes gave Chester hope with a try, moving his team to within eight points of Darlington, but Darlington held firm for the remainder of the game.
