Building towards their debut in the Principality Premiership against Bridgend Ravens at the Bridgend Ford Brewery Field on Saturday, 3 September, Jones’ side easily retained the Halliwell Jones Anglo-Welsh Challenge Trophy.
“I’ve been here less than a week, so it hasn’t been a huge amount of time with the boys. We looked at a couple of aspects in training, one area being depth in our play when we had try scoring opportunities,” Jones told the RGC1404 website.
“We did that, so it was good to see that we transferred what we had worked on during the week into a game situation. That said we did leave a few tries out there, so that gives us something to work on before the game at Worcester. “
A driving line-out earned Rhys Williams the first try of the game and Tim Grey and Tiaan Loots followed him over the Chester line before half-time. Two conversions from Jacob Botica made it 19-0 to the visitors at the end of the first of three 25 minute periods
The second saw the score grow to 59-0 as six more tries flowed from the Premiership outfit. Grey claimed his second try and then set-up Andrew Williams for the fifth score. Sam Jones’ pace earned him two tries, Loots got a second and Tom Hughes also followed suit.
Botica’s boot made it seven out of nine conversions off the tee as the new Kiwi outside half ended with 14 points. Alex Schwarz kicked one final conversion in the third period as Jones completed his hat-trick and an 11h try was also run in.
“Our forwards looked solid and that gave us a good platform for our backs. Credit to our defence as well, who worked hard at keeping a keen and hungry Chester side to no points,” added Jones.
“We will have some recovery before being back at training Monday and Tuesday in preparation for the game at Worcester on Wednesday. Another plus is that we didn’t pick up any injuries.
“It is still pre-season and they boys are playing when they are tired, but we know it is not about results but making sure we are fully prepared for our first Premiership game in September.”
