Rugby Union: Chester 34, Newport 6

Mar 17 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

CHESTER were nearly always in the driving seat as they booked their place in the Twickenham final of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup.

Newport tried to make it a forward slog but Chester were able to command enough possession to give their lively back division the chances they needed.

Andy Moore, who was promoted to the back row, took the man of the match award but there were also significant contributions from scrum-half James Farrall and prop Nathan Sandland-Jones.

The Shropshire side took an early lead with a penalty by Panuni Tomasi but Chester scored their first try on eight minutes through Tom Foden, who also added the conversion.

It was then nip and tuck until the 34th minute when Farrall squeezed in for the second home try to make it 12-3.

A Matt Sheen try on 42 minutes plus the Foden goal made it 19-3 but Tomasi hit a second Newport penalty.

Simon Love got an excellent corner try near the end of the third quarter.

Chester added to the score with a penalty by Foden on 65 minutes and a late try via Sheen goaled by Foden.