South roasted in Roman city

It was interesting to read in today's edition of "The Rugby Paper" that Chester had embarked on a training regime of boxing, sledgehammering and car pulling in preparation for the South game. Their levels of fitness, physical preparedness and bloody mindedness put an undercooked and outfought South side to the sword in a decidedly one sided affair, especially in the first half.

Ironically, South's best periods were when they were reduced to 13 men early in the first half, both Rich Lang and Jim Matthews being sin-binned by a trigger-happy referee. Mark Lord converted two penalty kicks during that period to take South into a short lived lead. The early part of the second half also paid dividends where, although chasing the game, they defended like demons and manfully tried to break out of defence to take the game to the hosts.

Ultimately those efforts weren't enough and Chester ran in 6 tries in all (4 in the 1st half) showing a cohesion and ability to run the ball from anywhere on the pitch. Any inaccurate kicks from South were generally returned by Chester with interest. South's first up tackling was woeful throughout the first period with a score of 26-6 being recorded at half time.

The second period of the game was closer as South put together some good phases of play only to be stifled by some uncompromising Chester defence in midfield, or their own unforced errors without ever threatening the home try line. The two Chester tries scored in that period probably flattered the scoreline, but the fact remains that overall South were found wanting just as they were on our last long away day trip to Newport.

South have now to look forward to the visit of league leaders Luctonians to Welford Road and on this showing have a mountain to climb to repeat the first part of last season's home and away victories. A far more committed, confident and physical assertive display would benefit all, not least the regular travelling South faithful.

The stay at home supporters now ALL need to get behind their team, get out of the clubhouse and support vociferiously from the touchline in order to protect our unbeaten home record and lift the players to victory.

Come on South!

Man of the Match: Chris Bale ( on the back of a try saving interception grounding
and some big defensive hits in the second period)

Team: Thomas, Collins, Lang, Mills, Hurst, Lord, McFredries, Bale, Cartwright,
(Mark C), March, Hemsley (Green S), Matthews, Jones (Harris), Green D,
Bayley.

Match Report: Phil Lord