Warrington 9 Chester 8 (Snr)

Warrington v Chester - 24th September L&D League

Warrington took on Chester for the second time this season after a narrow victory over them on the last meeting it looked likely it would be another close encounter. Chester’s pool has been shut down for some time which meant the game was technically their home match but their pool closure meant the fixture needed to be played at Great Sankey.

Warrington started well with a goal from Tom Hadley although Chester quickly scored an equaliser. Andy Mason put Warrington ahead but again Chester pulled one back. Andy Burke was then excluded and Chester converted the man up to go 2-3 into the lead. Then Chester scored again as their No3 P. Williams scored his second goal and Chester led 2-4. With 7 seconds of the quarter left Warrington were awarded a penalty and Ian Musgrove calmly scored from 5m’s. The quarter ended 3-4 to Chester.

In the second quarter Tim Mainwaring was excluded after 16 seconds Warrington defended the man down and after two minutes of the quarter Addison Brown brought the scores to 4-4. Within 15 seconds Chester went ahead with another goal from P. Williams but then went on to have two players excluded. Warrington pulled one back with a goal from Ian Musgrove. Warrington were then awarded a penalty but the chance to go ahead was missed which was to prove costly as Chester scored twice in two minutes to finish the quarter 5-7 ahead.

The third quarter saw Andy Mason excluded but Warrington defended the man down. Chester then had a player excluded and Addison Brown scored his third goal of the game to bring the score to 6-7. Then an important breakthrough as Ian Musgrove scored his third goal to make it 7-7. Tim Mainwaring then received his second exclusion and Chester scored and finished the quarter 7-8 ahead.

The final quarter was clearly going to be tight and the first goal could be crucial. After over two minutes of stalemate Tom Hadley scored his second goal of the game to make it 8-8, but then Tim Mainwaring picked up his third exclusion and an early shower but Warrington defended the man down. Then Tom Hadley scored his third goal of the game to push Warrington into a one goal lead. Andy Mason was then excluded together with a Chester player. Warrington managed to hold their nerve and saw the game out to win the game 9-8. A good win against a solid Chester team.

Warrington’s team included: - Peter Burke, Tom Costello, Andy Mason, Addison Brown (3), Tom Hadley (3), Andrew Burke, Ian Musgrove (3), Neil Musgrove and Tim Mainwaring.