Chester vs Harrogate

In their worst performance of the season, they were thoroughly out played by a competent Chester team.

Harrogate started promisingly with well won ball setting up attacks and threatening breaks from centre, Keane Naylor. However, after 10 minutes, Chester’s 2nd Row, Ross White drove strongly, the ball was spread wide and prop, Shaun Strudwick supported a flowing backs move to score a try converted by Callum Bennett. The next score was a penalty kick from Bennett after Harrogate had gone offside.

The next incident was an unlucky yellow card for Harrogate’s captain, Jake Brady. He was being held illegally but was judged to have freed himself over vigorously. During his 10 minutes absence, Chester scored 3 more points from another Bennett penalty. In the final move of the half, Chester went offside in defence and their full back, Sean Green illegally prevented Harrogate from taking a quick penalty. Green was dispatched to the sin bin and Sam Fox’s successful penalty kick ended the half.

The third quarter proved to be Harrogate’s best period. From the restart, a thunderous midfield break by prop, Connor Ward was well supported by David Doherty and Chester’s defence was penalised. Harrogate set up a driving maul from the attacking line-out but were penalised. Doherty then took an astute Fox chip at speed but was unable to deliver what would have been a scoring pass to his support. On the opposite wing, Naylor’s pace outstripped the defence for a seemingly certain try but his foot had grazed the touchline. Harrogate continued to press but were penalised and Chester’s pack drove strongly from an attacking line-out and Alick Croft scored.

Chester’s next try came from turnover ball which was quickly released to wing Harrison Vane. An outstanding Naylor individual try then proved to be Harrogate’s highlight of the match. Bursting through an attempted midfield tackle, he outpaced the defence for a 35 metres try, converted by Doherty. Chester’s defence contained further Harrogate attacks and the match ended with a converted try from winger, James Preston

Chester: Green, Preston, Foden, Payne, Vare, Bennett, Holloway, Campbell, Gill, Strudwick, Bown, White, Cokell, Craven, Ford. Subs:- Croft, Fitzgerald, Baston, Joseph, Morris

Harrogate: Doherty, Barnard, Naylor, Dixon, Edwards, Fox, Wickham, Purkiss-McEndoo, Larder, Dennis, J Brady,
S Brady, J Coser, G Coser, Heaton. Subs:- Yorke, Ward, Harvey, Minikin, Hebblethwaite

Referee: Callum Sharp (RFU)

Match report by Bill Barrack