No lack of effort, but defeat on the road

This Saturday saw Holmes Chapel take the trip over to Eagle for another league clash. After a well-coordinated warm up, the boys in blue started the game confidently. With a very strong wind against them, Chapel found themselves pinned well in their own half. The visitors spent much of this first forty in this area, trying to battle their way up the pitch. Despite some very good attacks from a strong Chapel backline, points remained elusive. Eagle took advantage of the favourable wind and a shaky defensive performance; they made their home on their opponent’s twenty two metre line. The Holmes Chapel pack battled on and managed to turn over an astounding amount of ball. From one of these turnovers Jed Wragg slipped his man and made a clean break. Excellent support work from Joe Foulkes, Callum Grant-Smith and Alex Gormley saw the first and only real danger of scoring in the first half. This was not to be and Eagle immediately responded with some strong running of their own. A passionate attack from Eagle saw the boys in blue go seven points down after nearly surviving a lengthy camp on their own try line. Inspirational words from experienced players Ian Lightfoot and Jon Griffin buoyed their teams resolve and Holmes Chapel came out a team renewed. Their defence had momentarily improved, however dropped balls ensured that Chapel never really mounted a truly threatening attack. In the dying light of the first half a few missed tackles and scrabble defence saw Eagle cross the white line to finish the half 14-0 up.

In the second half Holmes Chapel really upped the pressure on their Warrington based opponents. It was the Chapel boys who now benefitted from the wind and fresh legs revitalised the visitors. Holmes Chapel spent a lot of time in Eagles half, unfortunately this period of possession and good field position yielded no points. Positives can be taken as there were some very strong performances, and like the first half, Chapel managed to turn over a good amount of ball. This resulted in a lot of reactionary rugby being played and again Chapel never found their way to a proper attack against the home team. As the second half wore on, a mixture of fatigue and frustration saw Eagle receive three yellow cards and concede a lot of penalties. The wind persuaded captain and kicker Andy Davies to opt for the touch line rather than kick at goal. These lineouts gave chances to Holmes Chapel and manufactured some very near misses. Eagle took heart from their fortune and pushed forward on the attack. Brilliant defence from father and son duo Jack and Mike Cottam, amongst others, kept Eagle from crossing the whitewash again. With the final whistle looming and a few penalties going the visitor’s way, Holmes Chapel really pushed to get on the score board. This was not to be and Eagle managed to turn the ball over and kick to touch for the final whistle. The second half was scoreless and the game finished Eagle 2nd XV 14 – 0 Holmes Chapel 1st XV.

It was a difficult game for Holmes Chapel and enthusiastic winger and prop Harry Jeanes had the following to say, “After today’s game there’s a lot for the team to work on in training. In the shadow of a defeat it is important to remember the positives of the match. The team showed great maturity in sorting out the defence under pressure, rucking was second to none and we kept our discipline when sometimes pressed to lose our heads. Lets treat this game as what it was, a learning experience.”

Holmes Chapel would like to thank everyone who made the journey up to Warrington to support us. Next week Holmes Chapel face local rivals Sandbach at home in what is sure to be an exciting fixture.