4 minutes | Sunday, 26 February 2023
Chester Rugby Club were back at Hare Lane on Saturday to play Preston Grasshoppers, who are back in National League 2 North this season.
The game got off to a good start with Chester’s Ben Ivory scoring a try and the dependable, Liam Reeve converting, to gain all 7 points. Grasshoppers came back with a try but couldn’t convert to make it 7-5. Chester were then awarded a penalty to make it 10-5, before further going ahead with try from Gethin Long and another conversion from Liam Reeve to make it 17-5. Ben Ivory then crossed the line for a try which was then converted by Liam Reeve to make it 24-5. Grasshoppers then struck back with a try and conversion to make the score 24-12. Tom Holloway’s try and Liam Reeve’s conversion stretched Chester’s lead further to 31-12 just before half time.
After the break, Grasshoppers stuck early with a try but they failed to convert and the score was 31-17. A fourth try for the visitors made it 31-24 before a try and conversion from Liam Reeve stretched Chester’s lead further to 37-24. Chester held out after a last ten minute push from the Grasshoppers when they were awarded a controversial penalty to make the final score 37-31.
Chester remain in 5th place in National League 2 North.
After the game, Steve Lord caught up with Head Coach Guy Ford on Dee Sport for his thoughts on the game...