In their first home game of the season, Holmes Chapel beat Lymm 4th team to continue their unbeaten streak in competitive matches. Lymm were the champions of the freshlet division 4 south, but were ineligible for promotion due to the Lymm 3rd team being in the league above. Like Holmes Chapel, Lymm also started their season strongly with a 40-10 win against Whitchurch.

Holmes Chapel captain Dom Moss made some changes from last week’s win at Congleton, most notably bringing inside centre Jim Moss back into the fray. This change had a noticeable impact. After a Lymm lineout near their own try line, the ball was passed back to the fly half. A clearance was attempted but was unsuccessful as number eight Jack Baskerville came quickly from the back of the lineout and was able to charge down the kick. Moss pounced on the loose ball and was able to power across the line. After this try the Holmes Chapel pack continued to turn the screw and won clean ball for the back line; most noticeable was the excellent display of scrummaging. The pack took the ball from the base of rucks and consistently made it over the gain line. However, the home sides play was inconsistent and periods of excellent play were interspersed with mistakes and impatience. Both teams became frustrated in the first half but it was the visitors who lost their discipline. The Lymm number eight, unhappy with his opposite number diving over a ruck, stamped downwards and was subsequently shown a yellow card. Despite being down to ten men, Lymm were able to keep the deficit to one during the first half.

In the second half a change on the Chapel wing brought good fortune. Nic Clawson returned to the squad after a period away and caused big problems for the Lymm back line. During the second half his pace and quick feet allowed him to run round the outside to dive over the line on two separate occasions. Dom Moss joined his brother and Clawson on the score sheet utilising good support play. Callum Grant-Smith received the ball in his own half, kicked down the touchline and was able to cross over for a try of his own. His all-round display earned him the man of the match award. To cap off the scoring, second row Mark McEnaneney switched to the centres and earned his team five points. The Chapel defence in the second half was good but not infallible and Lymm added ten points of their own. The final whistle blew and the match ended Holmes Chapel 1st XV 40 – 12.

Club President Garry Cottam said after the game, “it was a good display from the lads today and you tell that they have been putting some work in during training, particularly with the lineouts. We are getting a really good, young core to the team and that’s great but we need the continued commitment throughout the season on Tuesdays and Saturdays if we are going to come close to the success that we enjoyed last season.” Holmes Chapel RUFC would like to thank Lymm RFC for a good game and look forward to meeting them at their ground later in the season. We would also like to thank our sponsors Pochins, Bulcon, J.K Ashbrook, AWE Cheshire, EvadX and RVM for their ongoing support. If anyone is interested in a sponsorship opportunity then please get in touch via the website.

Squad
1. Ed Chappell
2. Neil Almond
3. Will Mitchell
4. Connor Gavin
5. Mark McEnaneney
6. Dom Moss (C)
7. Callum Grant-Smith
8. Jack Baskerville
9. Andy Davies
10. Mike Lightfoot
11. Alex Gormley
12. Jim Moss
13. Joe Maddock
14. Finn O’Brien
15. Jack Cottam
Substitutes
16. Dan Martin
17. Mike Cottam
18. Elliot Whitty
19. Adam Armitt
20. Nic Clawson