Chapel Weather the Storm

Holmes Chapel RUFC entertained Oswestry RUFC is conditions far from ideal. Sweeping wind and rain from the off made it difficult for both team and it was an even game for much of the opening period, Chapel were looking good at the breakdown, noticeably Joe Faulkes, snapping up loose ball. The back were starting to make in roads, but the visitors defence remained strong, despite Jim Moss and Mark Mcenenay going close.
Chapel's defence was also being tested, but as ever, Callum Grant-Smith was a menace in defence. The home side were then dealt a blow as First captain Dom Moss was given a yellow card as he and his opposite number were involved in the preverbal hand bags at dawn, then Jim Moss sustained a rib injury and had to leave the field. This however seemed to rally the home side, a controlled period of play lead to man of the match Gavin Paton crashing through the opposition and the deadlock was broken. A few minutes later and more sustained pressure from the forwards, Joe Polish and Rob Moore in the thick of it, lead to a penalty. Paton thumped the ball over in difficult conditions and extended the home side's advantage.
The strong visiting pack were not going to lie down and more indiscipline lead to a penalty 30 meters out, quick thinking from the opposition ten with a cross field kick led to a try and the game was very much on again.

Half time: Holmes Chapel 8 Oswestry 5

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, there was particularly strong running from Conor Gavin brushing aside defenders and mailing good ground, but Oswestry's defence kept chapel at bay. Oswestry came back and having gained another penalty, the cross field kick was again used, luckily for Chapel a knock-on ruled the try out, although mementos later another penalty lead to a shot at goal and the teams were level.

As the game entered the final quarter chapel had brought on their experienced bench, messers Neil Almond and veteran warhorse Jon Griffin both making an immediate impact as Chapel continued to press, eventually leading to another penalty which Paton duly slotted between the uprights.

As the game drew to a close, the villagers were looking to extend their lead as most of the play was in the opposition half, no more scores followed however and the home side we glad to hear the full time whistle and gain another victory.

Full time: Holmes Chapel 11 Oswestry 8

Captain Dom Moss said after the match, "it was a difficult game in difficult conditions, they had come with a strong pack, but once again we showed we can adapt, sometimes you have to win ugly and that's what we did today. Credit to all the squad as everyone played there part. We have a few thing to work on so it's vital that everyone gets themselves to training."

Chapel would like to thank Oswestry for a tough game played in a great spirit and as ever look forward to the return fixture. chapel would also like to thanks sponsors London Road Fish Bar and El-Fourno Pizza.