Intermediate Cup, 8th December 2007

Chester 15 v 6 Broughton Park

After reaching the semi-final last season 'Park now have to look forward to some blank Saturdays after losing to Chester on a day fit for swimming rather than rugby.

For the first 10 minutes 'Park could not get hold of the ball and Chester were camped on the 'Park line but resolute tackling held them out. However, the pressure told and the defence was sucked in to leave gaps out wide. Chester spun the ball wide to winger cum flanker Matt Sheen to score in the corner to make the score 5 - 0 after 12 minutes.

'Park were having difficulties understanding the referee's interpretation of the laws and were giving penalties away resulting in ground lost and possession of the ball. Three penalties in quick succession brought Chester up to 'Park's line. The last penalty was kicked for touch and from the resulting line-out Chester mauled the ball over the line to make the score 10 - 0 after 30 minutes.

Into the 2nd half with 'Park now getting on terms and understanding what the referee wanted, they pressured Chester into giving a penalty away just inside their 10 meter line. The kick was difficult because of the uncertain footing but Ronan O'Brien made no mistake to make the score 10 - 3 after 15 minutes of the 2nd half.

With 15 minutes to go 'Park got within 4 points of Chester after another good penalty from Ronan O'Brien. 'Park were looking to be getting on top but a loose pass allowed Chester to break out and with a maul which started on the 'Park 22 metre line Chester drove it to 'Park's line for a try to make the score 15 - 6 with 8 minutes to go.

'Park nearly got back on terms with another penalty but it was just short. The final score was 15 - 6 and 3 tries to 0 so 'Park can have no grumbles about the score.

Since the last game between the two sides, which 'Park won 24 - 0, Chester have beefed up their pack and 'Park's pack was missing some beef and expertise in the line-out through unavailabilities and injury.

'Park go to 3rd in the league Lymm next week with hopefully a fully fit squad to choose from.