Chester dreaming of glory at Twickenham

Apr 9 2008 by Andrew Stratton, Liverpool Daily Post

A FIRST Twickenham appearance for Saturday’s EDF Intermediate Cup final will put the icing on the cake for Chester as a rewarding season heads towards a close.

Chester made clear their intentions to re-group and bounce back after relegation from North One League last April and they have done it in style.

Coach Tom Foden recruited well and added to the squad during the campaign as needs arose. Not only did Chester keep making progress in the Cup but they also carried virtually all before them in North Two West League culminating in them claiming the title last weekend beating nearest rivals Stockport.

A return to North One was the top priority but the cup has provided a nice sideline.

“A Twickenham appearance is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most players and they have certainly deserved their chance,” said Foden.

“When I was asked to take on the job of coach last summer I had one objective in mind and that was to gain promotion in the first season. Everybody in the club has been part of the success. Now we can turn our attention to Saturday’s final. It should be a great occasion.”

Come what may his next objective is to push the side into the national scene. “It is achievable,” he added.

Chester skipper Sean Green will miss out at Twickenham along with James Whitelock-Wainwright. Green suffered a leg break in the new year and Whitelock-Wainwright was sidelined when he broke his arm for a second time.

Chester, during the campaign also lost the services of influential centre Morne Barnado, who had to return to South Africa but the back-up squad has proved more than adequate.

There has been an air of confidence throughout the campaign with Foden getting great support from his coaching assistants, team manager Claire Winters and others.

Their one league loss was to Broughton Park and the only other reverse was inflicted by Caldy in the County Cup.

Simon Verbickas took over the role of skipper after Green’s bad fortune. The experienced back re-joined Chester this season and has been a major influence. He has played for Sale Sharks, Orrell, Manchester and Broughton Park plus Widnes Rugby League.

Verbickas said: “It has been a fantastic season for us. I returned here primarily to help win the league and promotion which we have now achieved.

“To cap it all off with a trip to headquarters is just fantastic. It is great for all the young lads and also for the older players who will probably never get another opportunity.

“Last season was disappointing for the club but the players have more than made up for it now.

“When I don’t wake up nervous and stressed on a Saturday I know it will be time to give up playing. At the moment I am still very much enjoying my rugby,” he added.

Chester have been scoring points freely and they are well up for the clash with long standing rivals Birkenhead Park who have done reasonably well in North One which is a level above.

Chester were fortunate to have enjoyed a run of home ties in the Cup after an excellent opening success at Pontefract 57-7. They went on to account for Rochdale 25-7, Ampthill 30-15, Basingstone 56-15 and Newport 34-6 in their run to the last phase.

The Team:

TOM WEIGHTMAN: Full-back, youth academy product.

MATT SHEEN:Wing, came up through juniors.

LIAM LAWTON: Centre, joining last season.

SIMON VERBICKAS: Experienced and influential centre.

SIMON ABIERO: Free-scoring winger who joined this season while at Chester College.

JAMES FARRELL: Scrum-half, signed from Rhyl and has proved a terrific as set.

TOM FODEN: Impressive fly-half/stand-off who takes on kicking duties. Brother Ben at Sale.

RICHARD MOORE: Prop signed from Bethesda.

STEVE ROBERTS: Hooker after also moving from Bethesda.

NATHAN SANDLAND-JONES: Starred at prop after figuring as hooker.

JOHN BECKWITH: Influential long serving second-row.

JOHN PIGGOTT: Lock, ex-Winnington Park.

ALED EVANS: Breakaway, switched from Dolgellau.

MATT BELLAMY: Breakaway came up through the juniors at Hare Lane.

ROSS WHITE: Influential number eight who often gets on scoresheet.

REPLACEMENTS (from): M Hughes, D Legat, A Moore, G Martin, G Davenport, T Doig, T Chappell, S Love, R Miles, G Davenport.