IT was a day to forget for Prudhoe and Stocksfield as they were beaten in a scrappy encounter at home to Chester-le-Street.

Despite leading by the only three points of the game until just before the half time break, they conceded three tries to compound an unforgettable display.

Prudhoe received the ball from kick off and took the play to Chester-le-Street, Steven Henderson stroking over a penalty just three minutes in to give his side the advantage.

And the hosts remained on the front foot as they camped out in the Chester half for the next half hour, the only time the play was out of the half was following three clearing kicks for touch.

Despite effort and variation, P&S couldn’t cross the try line with Yannick Debil coming closest as he spilled the ball as he passed the line after gathering from his own chip ahead.

Henderson then sent a penalty wide, with Chester making the most of the reprieve when they were able to take the ball in the hand and go all the way to score the game’s first try with three minutes remaining of the first half.

The second half was more even for Prudhoe were to be frustrated time and again, even more so when a spell of play upfield allowed Chester to break through for a second try.

The game became scrappy and disjointed, the set pieces poor and the put ins delayed at the scrum and mishaps at almost every line-out. As the game neared its end, Chester-le-Street coordinated their scrum well and took the ball from the base for the back row to combine and run in a well-worked try for 17-3.

The game ended on a sour note as both sides allowed their frustrations to boil over, three yellow cards brandished and an abrupt final whistle calling time on the encounter.