Winger Kristian Sharples took Stephen Depledge's No 9 spot and Jack Mackie was moved from his successful centre partnership with Michael Coady to play at fly half. Henry Roberts took up Jack Mackie’s spot. Jason Moss was no longer on the bench having sustained a broken thumb and when captain Adam Blades had to be substituted just before the half hour mark, it meant Mark Chivers moving to prop and Ben Steele coming in to hook.

On a sunny but cold Saturday afternoon, Otley played into the wind during the first half. The conditions made it difficult to clear with the boot but made a good start with their ball retention. However, running the ball following a forward drive, Chester got winger Craig Ross over in the corner after ten minutes. Otley responded immediately, their re-start was kicked back to them, Coady making a beautiful break from within his own half to set winger Harry Hudson on a speedy 50-metre run to the line. All square at 5-5.

With the aid of the wind, Chester werekeeping play in and around the Otley 22, and inevitably a penalty into the corner set up a drive, former Otley and Bees No 8 Guy Ford grounding in the 21st minute. He added a second seven minutes later, and he was followed over the line by lock Ross White. Otley were unable to cope and, just before the break, they allowed centre Rhys Hayes to race through the middle for a try. At half-time the score was 25-5 and it was hoped the wind would come to Otley’s aid in the second half.

However it was Chester that came out the stronger, again stamping their control on the game, Guy Ford claiming his hat-trick and Craig Ross getting his second on the hour mark. With six minutes to go Harry Wales picking up on some loose play after a line-out sprinted over to score his first try for the first team, and Jack Mackie converted.

In the end it was too little too late, and was partly cancelled out when further Chester pressure resulted in Otley conceding a penalty which Rhys Hayes slotted through the uprights.