Stourbridge edge past Chester to go third

Stourbridge battled to a hard-fought  11-18 victory over Chester in blustery and wet conditions at Hare Lane.

Ashley Elvers scored a late try in the first-half to level the scores at 8-8 despite Chester dominating proceedings in the first 40.

Chester's points had come via a try from a David Ford and a penalty from Rhys Hayes and it was the fly-half who nudged the hosts ahead with another penalty just after the restart.

But Stour, who were looking to extend their unbeaten run to three games, came out a different side in the second half as they ultimately sealed the win thanks to a Penalty Try and a second penalty from Chris Scott.

Chester pushed hard in the final moments of the game to try and snatch a draw, but the visitors defended valiantly and held firm to move up to third in the table.

After a difficult start to the season where they won just two of their first six matches, Stourbridge have since risen up the table and added to their recent victories against Tynedale and Sedgley Park with this win in Cheshire.

In terms of Chester, they have still only won twice at home so far this campaign, but they will certainly be encouraged by their commitment and work rate in what was arguably one of their best performances of season.

The home side were dominant in all areas in the first period and may have felt disappointed not to be leading at the break.

Hayes opened the scoring with a penalty as handling errors were frequent due to heavy rain and strong winds with both teams looking to kick at every opportunity.

Chester had a lot of possession in the first-half and fashioned a couple of chances as fullback Sean Green and centre Thomas Foden try to weave their way through the Stourbridge defence.

But it was from a rolling maul where the first try of the game was scored as Ford barged his way over from close range after 15 minutes. Hayes' conversion faded right as the wind took it away from the posts.

Stourbridge spurned a couple of half chances as they couldn't hold on to the ball, but were presented with a way back into the encounter as Scott slotted over a penalty on 24 minutes.

Stour then grew into the contest and despite not having much territory throughout the first 40, they were level at half-time as Elvers sneaked into the corner after a good initial break from Mark George.

After the restart, it seemed as though the second half would see Chester stay in control as Hayes knocked over his second penalty of the afternoon.

However, it wasn’t to be the case as Stourbridge took the game to the home side and pinned them back into their own 22 for large periods of the second 40.

Relentless pressure from the Midlands side saw Chester fall foul to a number of penalties which eventually lead to a Penalty Try being awarded after the best spell of offensive rugby of the game from Stourbridge.

Hayes was then yellow carded for Chester and the visitors could have added to their two tries but the weather conditions once again played their part in preventing free flowing rugby.

Chester were finding it tough to clear their lines, but managed to move up the field in the final five minutes as they tried to steal a draw.

And after knocking at the door and going close on a number of occasions, they just couldn’t put a dent the Stourbridge defence as the side from Stourton Park came away with the victory.

National Two North

While Stourbridge moved into the top three of National Two North, Macclesfield made it 11 straight wins as they ran in four tries to beat Huddersfield 24-38 at Lockwood Park. Sedgley Park were made to work hard for their 17-13 win at home to Sale FC as they remain in pursuit of Macc.

Otley’s good run of form was ended at home to Tynedale as the north-east side came away from Cross Green with a vital 12-13 win which was their first away triumph of the season. Caldy are now winless in five as they were edged out 15-14 away to Leicester Lions while Harrogate are up to 6^th after a 15-5 win over Preston Grasshoppers.

Elsewhere, Broadstreet came away from Sandal with a superb 13-15 win, but do remain bottom of the table as the Luctonians made it back to back wins thanks to a 13-5 victory at home to South Leicester.

National Two South

Cambridge are now top of National Two South, but only on points difference, as they beat bottom club Launceston 8-33 on their travels. The Old Albanian are now second despite running in five tries in a 24-31 away win at a much improved Worthing Raiders. Taunton Titans kept the pressure on the top two with a comfortable 68-21 win over Canterbury.

Below the top three, Bishops Stortford remain fourth despite drawing 24-24 away at Barnes but are now under pressure from the Old Elthamians after they maintained their unbeaten home record thanks to 27-19 win over Chinnor.

Elsewhere, Redruth triumphed 7-10 over Clifton, Dorking also won away with a 18-22 win at Southend and the Redingensians made it back to back victories as they ran in six tries to beat Bury St Edmunds 32-18.