Rotherham wake up late to seal the victory

By DES HICKIE

Chester………….. 17

Rotherham…… 34

ROTHERHAM recovered from conceding two early tries to take the honours at Chester.

The hosts scored after just two minutes when quick line-out ball allowed Guy Ford to make a clean midfield break, and efficient recycles then allowed Ben Ivory to carve an outside arc to score.

Rotherham gradually came to life, but not before a dominant home scrum allowed Alec Reed to rumble over.

Fully awake in the second quarter, the visitors scored after 27 minutes.

From a line-out, the ball was passed quickly to Jamie Cooke, who stepped through and made a weaving 40m break to carve through a disorganised defence.

Rotherham then scored from a driven line-out to even the scores.

The visitors started the second period bristling with intent and organisation, dominating the third quarter in a fiveminute purple patch.

First, Lloyd Hayes ran back a loose kick through a fragmented chase, setting up a five-on-two advantage for Keifer Laxton to score.

Then a telegraphed Chester pass was intercepted by the alert Connor Field, who crossed untouched after racing away from halfway.

Finally, Cooke made a powerful break through midfield for his second.

At that stage the visitors looked set to pull away further.

But, to their credit, Chester showed their fitness and resilience, holding out for the final half-hour, and managing a fine second try by Ivory at the death.