Penrith's players and supporters alike made the journey back from Chester more than pleased with their afternoon's work. They came into the game following a really poor showing away at Beverley followed by an enforced fortnights break because of the weather, the omens were not good. Everthing they did badly at Beverley they did exceptionally well at Chester, they stood off Beverley, allowed them to play and run the game. Here they got in the faces of Chester and bossed the game.
Chester were second in the league and had only lost two games, they had won 47-26 at Winters Park earlier in the season but were made to look very ordinary on their own ground. They were not allowed to dwell on the ball or build any momentum, the Cumbrians tackling around the fringes was ferocious, lead by Paul Newton, Ryan Johnson and Andrew Irving were outstanding although every single forward stepped up to the mark. In the previous three recent encounters, of which Chester have won all three their backs have been very dangerous especially running the ball from deep. The Penrith mid-field held firm with Steve Wood to the fore and James Sanderson deputising for the injured David Barton allowing no way through. The home backs were reduced to not too good tactical kicking which was mopped up with ease by the visitor's back three of Cartmel, Ellar and Nattrass.
Penrith started the game on the front foot and looked dangerous from the off, they went close several times in the first half with James Ellar and Mike Hawley making good line breaks, they scored their first try when quick hands from Wood and Sanderson put Hawley away, he was pulled up just short of the line, quickly second phase possession came to Wood who put in captain Mike Raine who galloped in through the centres, Wood converted for a seven point lead.
On the half hour the home side put together a period of dominance and pressured the Penrith line, they went close when Mike Stephens was yellow carded for killing the ball and scored shortly after when the penalty was kicked to the corner and their forwards drove over from the ensuing lineout, the conversion slid wide so the visitors still just had their noses in front.
As half time approached Hawley made a searing break and was in the process of dancing round the last man five yards from the line when he brought him down with a very high straight arm tackle, the defender was rightly yellow carded but the calls from the touchline for a penalty try were ignored, Wood slotted the penalty that was awarded under the posts for a 10-5 half time lead.
It was not going to be easy to see out the game but the visitors scored next which was vital to their cause, an unerring Wood kick to the corner from a penalty was followed by a text book catch and drive from the lineout for Gary Hodgson to claim the try, the conversion drifted wide but Penrith had a 10 point two score cushion.
The home side did come more into the game but the Penrith victory was built on their strong defensive effort and they stood firm until the final minute, as the clock clicked over into added time Chester eventually managed another score but Penrith held out for the last couple of minutes for a well deserved win. It was not down to clever or flashy play, just honest endeavour, sheer determination and team spirit. Penrith were delighted with their return to form and were also pleased at the way young Gearge Birtle has made his mark, he came off the bench half way through the second half and really put himself about.