The difference between the sides was 2 kicked penalties to 1 but Harrogate’s forward superiority was in control throughout the match. A sustained second half period of Harrogate pressure on the Chester line resulted in a succession of penalties and a yellow card for Chester’s Kyle Joseph. Harrogate turned down the goal kicking opportunities and continued to opt for scrums but the seemingly inevitable penalty try wasn’t awarded and it was the home scrum which was eventually penalised, enabling Chester to clear their line.

An period of early even possession saw Chester executing well worked backs moves but they failed to break Harrogate’s defence. Their scrum was eventually penalised and David Doherty’s kick opened Harrogate’s account. Harrogate also conceded several penalties during the half but Chester opted for attacking line-outs which were well contained by Harrogate’s defence. A sharp Phil Wickham break breached the Chester defence, Jake Brady supported well to continue the move which broke down with a knock-on. More Harrogate attacks ended with an over ambitious drop-goal attempt but the pressure continued and, in the last move of the half, Chester went offside and Doherty’s kick made it 6-0.

An early Harrogate penalty attempt was missed but the home pressure continued. Minutes later, Harrogate came in from the side at a maul and Callum Bennett’s kick made it 6-3. This turned out to be the final score of the match though, with limited possession, Chester’s backs looked dangerous. A late penalty against Harrogate narrowly missed and, for the remainder of the match, Harrogate retained possession with a succession of driving mauls to deny Chester any further opportunities.

Harrogate: Doherty, Barnard, Naylor, Edwards, Giles, Morgan, Wickham, Ward, Larder, Dennis, J Brady, S Brady,
J Coser, G Coser, Harvey. Subs:- Maycock, Brougham, Davies, Matthews, Reaveley.

Chester: Green, Vare, Preston, Payne, Ross, Bennett, Holloway, Campbell, Gill, Strudwick, Joseph, White, Baston, Craven, Ford. Subs:- Reed, Hughes, Bown, Jones, Morris

Referee: Ben Rayner (North)

Match report by Bill Barrack