Chester 37 Middlesbrough 29: Boro lose touch in poor second period

Middlesbrough started well and took the lead after only three minutes when scrum-half Peter Wright touched down for the opening try of the game.

However, Adrian Rose missed the conversion and Chester took the lead five minutes later when backs coach Simon Verbickas converted a try by No 8 Ross White.

Almost immediately, Chester increased their lead when flanker Will Brown touched down, although Middlesbrough came back to within two points when winger Rose raced over but again missed the conversion despite ideal conditions with virtually no wind.

Verbickas added a penalty but two minutes before half-time Middlesbrough levelled the score at 15-15 when flanker Rory Duff touched down for a try. However, at three tries to two, they should have been ahead.

Chester took control after the turnaround, going back in front with a try by full-back Sean Green, converted by Verbickas, and increasing their lead when flanker Andy Moore added a try.

Scrum-half Pat Coy then ran in two tries to put the home side 37-15 up before Middlesbrough came back with a try by No 8 Ian Bradford.

Jamie Muncer, who had taken over the kicking from Rose, landed the conversion and also added the points when, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, winger Andrew Micklewright raced over for a final try.