A FINE performance from the forwards was squandered by a poor kicking game as York lost their first ever fixture against Chester 19-11 in the Thwaites League North Two.

York travelled to Chester with thoughts of the home side's giant pack uppermost in their minds which helped them to get the better of the Chester eight in all aspects of the game.

On occasions, the Chester faithful could not understand why their tight eight were going backwards on their put in.

They also could not figure out why one of the league's smallest lock forwards, Nathan Savage, was consistently leaping higher in the lineouts and claiming the lion's share of possession.

York had ample possession from all phases, which confounded the large crowd as to why the visitors weren't out of sight on the scoreboard.

The reason for this became increasingly more evident as the game wore on. York's half-backs decided to "bomb" high kicks at the Chester full back, who was showing his inexperience, which starved York's classy backs of the ball.

Time and again the kicks were not long enough to stretch the Chester cover around the park and not high enough to allow York's forwards to get to the dropping ball.

York had a dream start however, when Savage kicked them into a fourth minute lead with a superb penalty.

But six minutes later Chester took the lead when the hosts centre Paul Broderick scythed through the centres for a try, Dave Hill slotting the extra points.

York hit back in the shape of York RL winger Leigh Deakin, who was well clear, only to be brought back for a forward pass.

The Chester team were now feeling the brunt of their spectators' frustrations as York's much smaller scrum began pushing them backwards.

This wound up the Chester backs who began a series of raids on York's line, and in one of these excursions Broderick was tackled short, then twice shuffled forward to cross the line.

The referee was apparently unsighted and gave the try. Hill again added the extras.

Two minutes later Savage reduced Chester's lead with a towering 38 yard angled penalty.

The referee pulled York back again when a try looked to be on the cards when Deakin was penalised for crossing the ball carrier.

The second half started with Chester taking advantage of some sloppy York tacking. Hughes beat his wingman's tackle, wrong footed York's covering full back and dived over on the corner flag. The kick failed.

Savage then went very close for York with three penalties - all from 40 yards and all excellent strikes.

Allerton also went close for York following an inside break by Roberts and this heralded a period of pressure from York.

This pressure finally paid off when veteran Andy Brown collected the ball in centre field and used his experience, bulk and power to finish off a move from 20 yards out with a superbly taken try. The kick shaved the posts.

This try brought out the worst in the hosts and the referee penalised Chester regularly, culminating in a severe warning for illegal use of the Chester number four's fists.

In the closing moments of the game York tried everything but were unable to claw back anything from the game.

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