That's more like it!

After last week’s disappointing cup loss, Holmes Chapel were determined to get back on track against what looked like a strong travelling Bowden team. Bowden lie mid table and performed well in their last outing against Oldershaw 2’s in the cup.

The first half was a close and tense affair and Bowden showed why Holmes Chapel were right to be wary of them. Bowden were strong in the forwards but when the ball came out to the Holmes Chapel backs, dropped balls and misplaced passes thwarted their attacking intent. It was through the forwards that Holmes Chapel opened the scoring. An overthrown lineout meant that the ball found its way to openside flanker Callum Grant-Smith. The youthful flanker handed off an opposition forward and found his way to the try line. Andy Davies converted the first score to make it 7-0. Bowden were however able to reply. Their hard work was rewarded and they score a converted try of their own to level the scoring. The first half remained a tense affair and a mixture of good defence and attacking mistakes from both sides meant the remainder of the first half was scoreless.

The second half for Holmes Chapel saw a few changes with big second row Conor Gavin moving from tighthead prop to replace old(ish) head Dan Martin, and the return of centre Jim Moss to the team after an extended period of injury. Moss made a fairly instant impact. He received the ball on the left side of the field with a man outside him and on man to beat. Moss elected to back himself and run for the try line rather than risk a pass. He was tackled but not held and managed to regain his feet and dive over for another five points. Captain and brother Dom Moss was first over to congratulate the returning centre. Andy Davies converted the try. This sore rejuvenated Chapel and shortly afterwards a sharp backs move found its way into the hands of aggressive winger Luke Day. He scored in the corner. Davies was unable to convert the wide kick, but made up for this by scoring a penalty shortly afterwards. Day scored another converted try to finish the game off with the score finishing Holmes Chapel 1st XV 29 – 7 Bowden 3rd XV.

Experienced forward Jon Griffin said after the game, “I thought that we played well throughout vast swathes of the game today and most importantly we got the win. Ideally we need to be making less mistakes but that will come as the season progresses. It isn’t even Christmas yet so we have lots to look forward to. With the squad we have I think we can do very well this year and hopefully push for another high table finish.”

Next week Holmes Chapel have another home game against Oswestry 2nd XV. We would appreciate as much support as possible and the great numbers of people coming to watch the game continuing. We would like to thank all of our sponsors Pochins, Bulcon, AWE, J.K Ashbrook, EvadX, Reliance Vehicle Management. Special thanks this week go to London Road Fish Bar and El Fourno Pizzeria for supplying us with our new training shirts (not to mention delicious food).