I’s wilt in the heat of title battle at Chester

CHESTER completed a stunning turnaround against Hull Ionians at Hare Lane as they leapfrogged the Yorkshire side in the standings.

The I’s had seen a comfortable cushion at the top of the table dissolve over the last two months and following four defeats from their last five away games.

And despite taking an early 20-5 lead, they were eventually beaten again by second-place Chester, much to the delight of their director of rugby Jan van Deventer.

“We were outstanding,” said Deventer. “To come up against a side as good as Hull, who took their tries well in the opening 20 minutes, just shows you how good this group is.

“It was a brilliant contest. For us, it was important to get the try just before half-time, that gave us the momentum and in the second half, we felt like we were always going to win the game.

“I think we wanted it more and we've proved once again how hard it is to come to Chester and win here.

“But all credit to Hull, they are a great side and we know they're going to fight us for the top spot all the way.”

The visitors took just five minutes to open the try-scoring when full-back Stephen Slingsby dived over the whitewash with Lewis Minikin adding the extras.

An unconverted try from Chester winger Craig Ross reduced the deficit but another Hull try from centre Minikin, converted by himself, along with two penalties from the deadly goalkicker gave the visitors a 20-5 lead with 37 minutes on the clock.

But, in what turned out to be a very decisive moment, star man Scott Robson powered over the line off the back of a rolling maul, with James Robins adding the conversion to make it 20-12 at the break.

With momentum very much on their side, Chester started the second half on the front foot and reduced the deficit further when loosehead prop Colin Campbell showed unbelievable strength to wrestle his way over the line.

Robins then confidently added the extras to bring the hosts within one point with 47 minutes on the clock.

What proved to be the match-winning try then came in the 65th minute when winger Adam King finished off a wonderful team move.

Robins then added the extras before the hosts held out for an incredible turnaround win.

Deventer is now hoping his side can improve their record on the road.

“We’ve only lost a handful of games at home in the last three years,”

“The challenge for us is now being able to do that on the road regularly. But as always we will keep working on a game-bygame basis.”

Next weekend, Chester travel to Stourbridge while Hull Ionians will try to get back on track against Fylde at Brantingham Park in a huge clash between two contenders for the league title.