Rugby Union: Bradford & Bingley 23, Chester 20; by Bill Marshall.

Richard Thomas is ambitious in his rugby - he was with Allied Dunbar Premiership Two club Wakefield at the start of the season.

But for the moment the 19-year-old prop is happy to help Bradford and Bingley towards what will surely be promotion from Thwaites North Division Two.

"My situation has been a bit complicated," explained the mobile front row man. "I left Old Crossleyans to join Wakefield at the start of this season because I thought I would have a better chance of progressing.

"But that didn't work out so I went on loan to Huddersfield YMCA. Then I came down to Bradford and Bingley to keep my brother (flanker Mark) company.

"I am really enjoying it and have joined at a good time. They are a really good set of lads and this is just where I want to be.

"We have some big away matches coming up at vale of Lune and Morpeth, and a big home match against Blackburn.

"But I see no reason why we shouldn't be promoted, especially if we carry on playing like we have away from home, and I can see myself playing here next season as well.

"Chester provided us with a big test up front, and we let them get back into it after we had lead 23-10.

"However, a turning point came before that when we had a good scrum and a heel against the head when they were only a few metres out, and from that possession we scored a try at the other end of the field."

When the Bees were only three points to the good at 23-20, having conceded two tries in eight minutes, there were a few home nails being bitten. But there were no real alarms, Chester sensibly being kept near the halfway line.

The Bees gave two of their bench at Lymm the previous week starts this time, and Hugh Gumbs obviously appreciated the opportunity. He made good ground virtually every time he got the ball and his shuddering tackle on centre Paul Billington lifted the whole team, and particularly the pack.

He deservedly won the man of the match award, but full back mark Coultas can't have been far behind him, finishing off a scintillating move after hooker Peter Scott had won that vital heel against the head in the 67th minute.

Chester got off to a flier with a pushover try in the sixth minute, Phil Cottle taking the ball at a line-out and his brother, fellow lock Andy, being driven over.

Full back Stuart Astbury converted, but Bradford and Bingley got back into the contest via two Matthew Inman penalties.

A quick drop goal by fly half Matt Anwill gave Chester heart, but the visitors paid a dear price for being penalised a second time by referee Andrew Vertigan for lifting in the line-out before the ball was thrown in.

The Bees, who love to keep the game fluid and can score some superb tries from distance, took a swift tap penalty and, although Richard Thomas was held just short, the ball was spun wide for right winger Asa Firth to cross.

Delighted to be ahead 11-10 at half-time, Bradford and Bingley rubbed their advantage in with a 45th-minute try. Gumbs set it up with a 40-metre run, and Inman took the attack on, dummying before touching down to the left of the posts after an arcing run.

Inman also converted for 18-10, but after the brilliantly-worked Coultas try, the Bees were on defensive chores, conceding tries to scrum half Dorian Hopkins (72 minutes) and hooker Andy McAdam (79).

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