Holmes Chapel welcomed Widnes 2

Widnes turned up looking fresh and ready for a battle as Chapel slowly slugged their way through the warm up, heads were more on beer, curry and karaoke. Some tough words from the skipper and coach got the lads firing on all cylinders as they took the field.
The game started fast paced with Chapel's front five taking the game firmly to Widnes. The loose forwards positioned themselves well around the pitch putting pressure on the visitors. The Widnes defence held fast for 20 minutes but eventually the continued pressure from the boys in blue paid off. Joe Foulkes forgot which position he played and sniped a try from the base of a ruck to get Chapel on the scoreboard. Andrew Davies refused to let this stand and added himself to the list with a successful conversion.
There was another 10-minute stale mate as Widnes started to throw themselves into the game with some strong running. This kept Chapel battling and it was time for the backs to do some work. Some lovely, silky running, hands and kicks from the fairies (I mean backs) forced Widnes to mount almost every attack from within their own half. Chapel capitalised on this pressure, stealing a line out and bulldozing over the line. Conor Gavin squibbed the ball down to get his name on the scoresheet. Again, Andy slotted the ball over.
The front five were proving a permanent nightmare for Widnes, disrupting every scrum and stealing countless lineouts. In the loose CG4 was flattening everything in his path, whilst Beppe Moore was proving a defensive wall stopping the Widnes big lads in their tracks. Second row Mark McEnaney got his first try of the game in the dying light of half time with Stewart Butters adding the extras. However, a renewed effort from Widnes saw their flanker power through the centre of Chapel defence and add easy points to the board, which we converted.

Half time 19-7

Widnes started the second half at 900 miles an hour. The boys in blue showed that preseason paid off with a sustained period of defence against some excellent running. There were a few periods of play were Chapel should have and could have added extra points but some poor decision making coupled with frantic play left Chapel pointless.
Luckily, Macca came through again with another score making it a hatrick and a much-needed jug to pay for by the veteran second row. Widnes kept the pressure up throughout the half but Chapel held them at bay and at points mounted some impressive counter attacks, which unfortunately fell short.
The game remained pointless until the end at 31-7
Hats off to the front five for continually putting Widens on the back foot at the set pieces. Mentions should also be made for Squibble CG4 for stepping up the physicality and Jack Cottam doing his grandad proud and making him happy for missing his 4654th shopping trip of the year for a strong defensive performance against a much larger opposite number.
Chapel have a lot to work on but also there are many positives to take from Saturday’s game. We would also like to thank Widnes for a tough game played in good spirit.