Chester 31 (4T), Stourbridge 0

STOUR'S woeful run of form continued as they shipped another defeat, this time to a Chester outfit they had comfortably beaten back in November.

With table toppers Caldy next up Stour face another heavy reversal unless they can recapture the form that saw them in third place in National 2 North just six short weeks ago.

This was a fixture with little at stake, both sides certain of retaining league status next season, but that was of scant consolation to the travelling supporters who saw a disjointed performance with Stour regularly shipping penalties and unable to hang onto the ball for any length of time.

Despite losing tighthead Mark George to injury in the opening exchanges the Stour pack had achieved scrum dominance by the hour mark, forcing Chester to re-introduce subbed second row Ross White, but the visitors were unable to turn pressure into points and were denied even a consolation score as their composure deserted them.

A set of short range drives by Chester produced the opening try for flanker Kyle Joseph.

A high tackle gave White a shot at goal to reduce the deficit but it rebounded off the upright and the hosts scrambled it clear.

The game struggled to flow but with Chester feeding off turnovers they had ground their way back into the Stour 22 just short of half time when scrum half Joe Heatley was sinbinned for offside.

Outside half Callum Bennett landed the penalty kick to make it 10-0 at the break.

The second half started no less scrappy, the frequent blast of Mr Davis’ whistle continuing to deny any continuity of play.

A break by second row Chris Depper set up an attacking platform in the Chester 22 but a Stour runner got isolated and the chance went begging.

Chester worked a move from a lineout on the Stour 22 and second row White was worked over the tryline.

Stour came back with a penalty award kicked to touch deep in the Chester 22 but their driving maul got held up.

The pack forced a penalty at a short-range scrum, but rather than go again they tapped and ran and saw the ball stripped in the tackle.

Chester cleared and from a scrum in midfield produced another set move for centre Tom Foden to score.

Stour threw the kitchen sink into a final assault but were again penalised in possession and their frustration started to get the better of them.

The rain finally stopped but the turnovers didn’t, Stour were driven back into their 22 and conceded a bonus-point try to a well-executed catch and drive for no.8 Dave Ford.

This Saturday Stour host league leaders Caldy, ko 3pm.