Hopefully everyone will have recovered from their frayed nerves after last Saturday’s win against Wharfedale. It was a game that most of the faithful would have expected to win but Dale proved once more that anyone can beat anyone in this Division. It was not one of the Hornets better performances but the team deserve praise for the way they hung in there. It would have been easy to panic after they went behind but instead they kept calm and created a cracking try to snatch the game at the death. Good teams make their own luck and the courage and resilience that the lads showed under pressure augurs well for the rest of the season.

That said, George and the rest of the coaching staff will be looking for an improved performance this week, particularly up-front, against a Chester side whose pack hammered the South Leicester 8 on Saturday despite going down by the odd point at the end in a tight match.

News from the dug-out is positive with no new injuries being picked up at the weekend. Joe Wilson and Ben Avent are both available for selection this week, and Ben Marshall is making a good recovery from his turned ankle against Stourbridge and may also be in contention. Dave Peck, however, is not available for selection.

Last season, Chester did the double over the Hornets in what were two of our more disappointing performances. At Hare Lane in October, having dominated for much of the game, Hinckley allowed Chester to run in 2 tries in the last 10 minutes to take the spoils 27-16. The home game in January saw the Hornets edged out 6-8 when Chester went over in the last 5 minutes in a scrappy game.

Chester went on to finish 5th in the Division last year, 20 points ahead of Hinckley, proving one of the stronger sides although never serious promotion contenders. This season, they currently occupy 10th position having won 6 and lost 8. Only 2 of those defeats, however, have been at home against promotion rivals Sale and Sedgley Park. They will not be an easy nut to crack!

The weather forecast looks positive although thick socks and maybe a set of thermals may be in order. Anyone wanting to travel on the team bus, please get in touch with Steve Avent on 07801 284604 to reserve a place.

Nick Robinson