Warrington made the trip to Chester for a rematch of the mud bath from last season that saw a convincing win for the visitors. Recent results showed that the home team would be no pushover having pushed waterloo and Sandbach close in their previous games.
Coach Beeley made changes to the starting line up with Beeley junior and Michael Fulwell making their first starts of the season. This being Matthews first start for nearly 2 years along with Theo taking a spot on the bench for his first appearance this term.
The conditions were perfect and the new Chester 4G pitch looked immaculate as Matthew got the game underway, Warrington immediately regained possession and although they were able to keep hold of the ball no real scoring chances were made until a loose clearance from the home side found Ollie in space and a great cross field kick to the corner just bounced the wrong way for the on rushing Benny to collect, however is wasn’t long before the first score came. Good work from the pack close to the Chester line resulted in Eddie going over out wide. Great touchline conversion JP. 0-7.
Chester restart but fail to make the 10m line putting themselves under more pressure, this time matt spots space out wide and another cross field kick takes a bounce the wrong way denying benny again.
Warrington now have constant pressure although they repeatedly let themselves down at the ruck with knock-ons. However one such occasion proves rewarding, another lost ruck ball and a poor clearance from the Chester 10 finds Ollie in space, he hands on to Eddie who in turn puts the rampaging Charlie through a gap to beat 3 defenders before offloading to benny who sprints 30m down the touchline to score. Missed conversion 0-12.
From the restart Warrington go close again, a counter attack ends with the ball in Benny’s hand and only a last ditch tackle prevents another try.
After 20 minutes Chester start to get a hold in the game, keeping the ball in the forwards, making good yards and putting the Warrington pack under great pressure.
Its Warrington with the next opportunity, a rolling maul on the Chester 20m ends with the ball in touch, the ref awards the throw in to Warrington, another lost ball at the line out and the Chester 10 clears once again failing to find touch, only to find Ollie. This time he takes matters into his own hands racing forward, chipping over the on rushing defenders and using his previously hidden football skills dribbles the ball over the line to score a great try in front of an emotional Dicky.
Missed conversion 0-17.
Chester try to force their way into the game through the forwards, however good defence from Michael Fulwell, Josh, Scott, and Will, keep the home team at bay.
Poor discipline from Luke sees the ref march Chester 10m down field and from the resulting line out the ball looks to be in touch but the ref calls play on, the home side take advantage getting their first score on the stroke of halftime.
Missed conversion 5-17.
In a déjà vu moment Chester fail to go the required 10m at the restart, from the scrum Theo makes a half break and finds Ollie, the ensuing ruck retains the pressure, a great cut out pass from Luke puts the charging Matt Bullock through a gap but a lack of support sees the attack fizzle out.
Theo is next to be penalised by the ref, for an obstruction, again it’s the kicking of the home side that lets them down as they fail to find the side line. Great work down the short side finds JP who almost makes the line, the fullback doing well to stop him but an off load and Eddie is in for his second of the game. Missed conversion 5-22.
With the game beginning to look safe Warrington seem to take their foot off the gas and a period of scrappy play in which they fail to hold onto the ball on numerous occasions and a series of missed tackles sees the Chester winger break clear and score from 60m under the posts. Successful conversion 12-22.
This seems to give the home side a kick and a period of intense pressure again from the forwards, however their efforts aren’t rewarded.
From a pressure relieving scrum a cut out pass from Luke again finds Charlie, this time evading tackles on a 65m break, before being hauled down just short of the line, a quick off load and Benny is in at the corner for his second. .Missed conversion. 12-27.
Despite this Chester refuse to throw in the towel and score again, just reward for the efforts of their forwards. Successful conversion 19-27.
Now with their tails well and truly up the home team score again out wide. Missed conversion. 24-27.
Nerves are now jingling for the visiting team as the ref blows his whistle for a Chester infringement at the break down, JP steps up and calmly slots the ball between the posts.24-30.
With time now running out for Chester Warrington eventually manage to win a ball from their own line out, the resulting maul sees the forwards march 25m down field, the ball goes wide and Luke again puts Charlie through a gap making yards, quick ball recycling, fast hands and a lovely pass from Theo finds benny to complete his hat trick and seal the win on the final whistle. Successful conversion 24-37.
A good win on the road against a much improved Chester, it was an excellent first 20, but after that the team sat back, with the home team much the stronger at the break down as Warrington were much too passive. Still plenty to work on for Warrington with the line out a particular downfall today. On the plus, one on one tackling was again excellent with Luke and Charlie combining well in midfield and Ollie strong at the back. In the forwards Scott and Andy.K. again worked like Trojans.
MOM Charlie.
Next week sees a break from the league with a visit to Bury, themselves enjoying a great start to the season with a played 4 won 4 record.