Chapel make it 2 from 2 with victory at Wirral

Saturday saw the Chapel 1st XV travel up to Wirral 3's for our second game of the new season. Despite Wirral losing their first game we knew the contest would not be an easy one.

Wirral started the stronger and brighter of the teams, controlling territory from the off. Some strong forward play and some expansive Rugby from the home side saw the Chapel defence stretched. Only some great last ditch tackling from Luke Day and Mike Lightfoot kept the scores level. The home side still in control, managed to cross the line first and open the scoring. The Chapel boys were falling foul of the referee around the breakdown and were going too high into tackles which was giving Wirral some easy yards. Chapel fought to get a foothold in the game and when we got the ball in hand looked threatening on the break, both Jack Cottam and Ally Lightfoot nearly getting through the wirral defensive line. A penalty in front of the posts allowed Andy Davies to get the score board moving. Soon the pressure told and big second row Makka powered over the Wirral line for our first try of the afternoon. Davies again converted with the scores at 7-10. This try seemed to frustrate the home team and they came back strongly, retaking control of the game. A period of heavy defending saw Chapel lose both props; Rob Moore and Ed Chappell to injury. This saw the introduction of Conor Gavin and Nic Clawson into the pack. Some clever kicking from their 10 put the pressure on the Chapel defence. Just before half time the pressure again told as the Wirral pack powered over for their second try of the afternoon. Conversion missed so the scores at half time were 12-10 in favour of the home side.

The high tackling and ill discipline were discussed at half time and the Chapel boys responded well. The lads in blue and gold came out of half time a completely different side. Vice captain Tom Chambers put in a huge hit off the kick off where the ball was turned over, setting the tone for the second half. Off the back of this, forward powerhouses Will Mitchell and Conor Gavin carried the ball strongly and made good yards before the ball was distributed to fly half Andy Fyfe who simply released centre Jim Moss who crashed in underneath the posts. Davies converted to make the score 12-17. This score straight off the kick off rejuvenated the Chapel side and the confidence started to flow. Everytime we got the ball we attacked well, exploiting the space with good structured play. Two well worked tries in quick succession from Andy Fyfe and Jack Cottam edged Chapel out in front. Davies missing both conversions meant the scores were 12-27.

Wirral never gave up and came back at Chapel fiercely. A period of play saw the home team batter the Chapel defensive line with 25+ phases. However, the defensive line held firm and never lost a yard, meeting every advancing Wirral player with a strong defensive tackle. This superb defensive effort seemed to effectively end the game as a contest as the Wirral lads came out of it tired and disheartened. Surely one of the best defensive passages ever produced from a Chapel side with all 15 lads having to make key tackles.Half way through the second half Ally Lightfoot cut in off the wing well to set up a structured phase of play that saw the ball efficiently shipped to the opposite wing where Nic Clawson was waiting to race past his opposite man and score in the corner. Conversion missed, score now 12-32. A rare drop in concentration let the home team have the final say as they broke through a gap in the middle of the pitch to score the last try of the game. Conversion missed leaving the final score 17-32.

A superb second half performance from Chapel was the difference between the two sides. Every player in blue and gold should be thoroughly proud of their performance. So much so, that we were unable to select a man of the match as each player performed so well.

We would like to thank Wirral for the excellent match day hospitality and a very tough game.