Five-star Dale led by Passman and Pike

WINGERS Morgan Passman and Guy Pike scored five tries between them as Tynedale’s dominant display severely dented second-place Chester’s hopes of automatic promotion.

In a one-sided affair, the hosts stretched their unbeaten run at Tynedale Park to six, made mincemeat of the best defence in National 2 North and nilled Chester in the first half.

Tynedale director of rugby Ben Woods said: “To get this scoreline is really pleasing, we got some brilliant tries and have some good backs when they’re firing. The forwards were giving us some good ball from a solid set-piece.

“What was pleasing is sometimes our defence led to tries, stopping them getting field position which meant we could attack from better positions.

“We had some big performances in the pack – Joe Richards was fantastic with some low body tackles that helped stop them build ing momentum and it felt like they ran out of ideas.”

Tynedale started the game with a high tempo and it looked to catch Chester off guard.

Despite conceding a scrum, Tynedale got a quick turnover and centre Will Miller’s long pass found Passman, who shot down the left flank to score.

Just three minutes later and the home side got the better of Chester’s lineout by the halfway line with No.8 Ben Bell breaking through and off-loading to Passman, who finished in the same spot in the corner.

Chester were suffering at the breakdown and after debutant fly-half Ben Hutton made 20 metres through the middle off a scrum restart, skipper Matt Outson whipped the ball out wide for Passman to go through opposite number Adam King and get his hat-trick.

Chester put together six phases but struggled to make inroads into Tynedale’s half and just before half-time gained 20 metres from a lineout through lock Richard Cottrell and No.8 David Ford before winning a penalty and kicking to the corner.

Despite several phases, Tynedale kept their firsthalf whitewash intact.

After the break, Chester immediately attacked with scrum-half Thomas Holloway’s grubber to King going dead.

From the restart, a long pass was intercepted by Dale wing Guy Pike who rocketed 60 metres for a great solo try.

Three minutes later and after centre Will Miller came close, the ball was recycled across the park and Pike dashed over by the posts.

Chester’s Craig Ross scored a consolation try in the corner but Tynedale’s defence held firm.

Chester head coach Jan Van Deventer said: “Our work-rate was embaressing and that is something we’ve got to look at. Our away form is a problem and not just from this season.

“It was very frustrating and all credit to Tynedale. From the first charge down when we tried to box-kick, they started with flair and skill for a 5-0 lead.

“It’s close margins and that made it tough.”