Holmes Chapel 30 Knutsford 10

Holmes Chapel 30 Knutsford 10

Holmes Chapel made their final preparations for the forth coming season on Saturday with a friendly game at home against neighbours Knutsford.
While we are still in holiday season the visitors we only able to get 12 players to make the journey down the A50, fortunately Chapel had a squad of 25 so were able to lend Knutsford some extra players which worked well for everyone as the away side could field a full side while it ensured all the Chapel players were able to get plenty of game time with the new season only a week away.

The home side led by 1st team vice-captain Mark McEnaney couldn’t have asked for a better start as within minutes of the kick off they saw centre Lee Cagna make an evasive run through the Knutsford defence to give Chapel a very early 5-0 lead.
Then blink and you would have missed it as straight from the restart Chapel crossed the white wash again thanks to a try from fly half Andy Fyffe to make it 10-0 with only a handful of minutes on the clock.
If the Chapel players thought they were going to run away with it they were very much mistaken as the rain started to come down which led to very difficult playing conditions. As the ball was becoming greasy we saw both sets of backs making a number of handling errors.
The hosts next try was a rare moment as prop Allan Goodwin threw the ensuing defender a magical side step and got in to make the score 15-0.
With the 1st half coming towards an end the Knutsford were starting the home side under pressure and made their possession tell by getting themselves a try to make the half time score 15-5 to the home side.

Chapel made a number of changes at the interval which gave coach Rick Clarke the chance to run his eye of some different combinations.
Chapel didn’t have to wait too long for their next score as some good foot work from Fyffe helped him to get his 2nd try of the afternoon to make it 20-5.
Following a chapel lineout on the edge of Knutsford 22 after some good hands the ball found its way to back row Jack Baskerville who crossed to make the score 25-5.
Knutsford pull some points back through powerful Chapel winger Angus Scott who played the 2nd half for the visitors. After some very strong running he was able to break down the right wing and break a number of tackle attempts before bringing the score back to 25-10.
The final score of the day came via Joe Maddock who switched from the wing to fly half with the game wearing on to make the final score 30-10.

After their two pre-season friendlies Chapel go into the new season in good shape and showing good form with plenty of options for the selection committee to choose from as the long awaited league campaigns get under way this Saturday as the 1st XV travel to Trentham and the 2nd XV host Ashton-on-Mersey, both are 3pm kick offs with all spectators welcome.

Training continues Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm at the Station Road Ground.