Captain Guy Ford said Chester RUFC had only themselves to blame for another defeat on home turf in National League Two North.
A powerful and well-drilled Sedgley Park outfit prevailed 36-24 on a cold afternoon, becoming the fourth visiting team to win at Hare Lane this season.
The Tigers bossed the first-half and led 23-3 at the interval through tries from James Harrison and Michael Waywell with Steve Collins converting both and slotting three penalties. Chester’s sole response was a penalty from the boot of Callum Bennett.
But the second period was far more competitive and although the visitors went further ahead with another Collins penalty and a try from Robert Birtwell, Chester replied with two penalty tries, Rhys Hayes adding the extras on both occasions, but Park secured the bonus point when Harrison got his second before Hayes crossed and converted his own score late on.
“Sedgley were the better side on the day and we let them take full advantage of this,” said Ford afterwards.
“However, in the second-half we came out and played how we wanted to play, we will take this over into next week’s home match and learn to turn up and be on the money.”
Chester fell behind in the fourth minute, losing a scrum against the head and giving Park an opportunity to move deep into the home 22. The defence appeared to have slowed the ball down but a powerful run and pass sent Harrison over on the wing and Collins converted the score.
The home side remained on the back foot but it took the visitors until the 20-minute mark to increase the lead with Collins knocking over a three-pointer.
Bennett responded with one of his own to post Chester’s first points of the afternoon but the respite was short-lived as a maul laid the platform for Waywell to touch down. Collins converted that effort and added two penalties to make the score 23-3 at the turnaround.
Collins added another three points early in the second period but Chester then began to get a hold of the game on the back of a powerful scrum.
From a penalty following a John Ketland break, the hosts opted for the scrum and drove the Park eight backwards for a penalty try, which Hayes converted to make it 26-10.
The next score would be crucial and it was Park who profited from a mistake at a lineout as Birtwell picked off a short throw and ran in to score to make it 31-10.
Chester’s scrum remained a potent weapon and another penalty try brought them within 14 points but the visitors sealed the win when Harrison touched down for the second time.
It was fitting the home side, who showed plenty of spirit in the second-half, had the last word when Hayes chipped over the defence and grounded the bobbling ball before adding the conversion.
Chester welcome fourth-placed Stourbridge to Hare Lane on Saturday (2.15pm).
Winning run at an end for Oilers
Ellesmere Port's rich vein of form that had seen them go six games unbeaten came to an end with a narrow 12-9 reverse at Port Sunlight in Merseyside West.
To their credit the young Oilers worked extremely hard and were the best side on the day by a considerable distance, always striving to play a fluent brand or rugby, but on too many occasions were penalised in possession, struggling to compute the referee's interpretation of the laws and their usual game was dismantled as a result.
Port Sunlight were first on the score-sheet with an opportunistic kick and chase interception try which came from a loose pass in midfield. The home centre worked wonders to dribble the ball to the line before grounding.
Port, who had the lion's share of possession without being able to get over the line due to a high penalty count, were actually awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time which live-wire Will Titherington converted with ease to for a 5-3 deficit at the break.
The Oilers continued to dominate the game and had ample opportunity to cross the line but never were able to crack the Sunlight defence, however Titherington chipped over a second penalty on 57 minutes to give the visitors a well deserved 6-5 lead.
Port continued to press as the game opened up and were awarded another penalty on 71 minutes with young Titherington converting to extend the Port lead to 9-5.
In the closing moments of the game, the hosts made a rare excursion into Ellesmere Port territory and after a break from the scrum-half was ended with a high tackle, the referee awarded a penalty try which was and a penalty from the kick-off to make the final score 12-9.
Oilers head coach Steve Dorrington was disappointed with the result but extremely pleased with his side's performance,
He said: "We were by far the better side but unfortunately did not get the result
"All of the youngsters did themselves and the club proud and man of the match Elliot Edwards gave a tireless display in the contact area.
"We need to learn how to kill these games off and understand the referee's interpretation of the laws a little better in order that we do not give penalties away when we have the ball, but that will come with experience
"The guys will learn from this and come back better and stronger from the experience."
Around the clubs
The game between Christleton and Sefton 2nds in Division Three South was abandoned following a serious leg injury. The Swans welcome neighbours Chester 3rds this weekend.
Helsby's trip to Linley 3rds in Division Five South was postponed. Next up for them is a home game with Acton Nomads on Saturday.
