Chester 29 Blaydon 7

Disappointingly another defeat for the Crow Trees boys but it was not until well into the second period that the home side took control. Blaydon gave it everything in defence but in the end were beaten by a heavier and more experienced pack that revelled in the quagmire conditions.

Blaydon missed with an early penalty attempt when Joel Matavesi slipped in the mud and it was Chester who took an 8th minute lead from an excellent three-quarters move. Their full-back Tom Foden completed the touchdown with fly-half Josh Morris adding the conversion.

On 22 minutes Blaydon were awarded a penalty in an eminently kickable position but mindful of the conditions opted for the kick to touch. Possession was secured at the line-out and the ball moved through the hands as the Chester backs came up for Matavesi to dart through and fall on the chip ahead.

This time the Blaydon centre put over the simple kick and at 7-7 it was everything to play for. For the remainder of the half Blaydon more than held their own only to concede a second try just before the break when Chester second-rower Ross White barged over, Morris once more on target.

The second period proved to be a different story however as the home forwards gradually got on top and went on to pick up three more tries, none of them converted.

Morris darted through for the first of them in the 54th minute, followed by Jonathon Charmley from a driving maul and finally hooker Alex Reid from close range.

John Brennan