Holmes Chapel welcomed Didsbury to Station Road on a miserable and cold day. Some late dropouts meant Chapel had to do some last minute personnel shuffling but credit to their strength in depth they were still able to name a strong squad.

This was a big game for Chapel with double the points on offer as it had been decided that the game would be a double header.

The home side started on the back foot with the away side looking dangerous. Their offload game was stretching the Chapel defence and a few half breaks led to a few early scares. Chapel began to slowly feel their selves into the game with some heavy carries from some of their heavier players. Both Rob Moore and Luke Blagbrough were seeing plenty of ball. Young scrum half Harry Snape was controlling his pack well and Chapel were edging into the away sides half. A superbly worked lineout set powerful number 8 Conor Gavin charging towards the posts from 15 metres out. There was no stopping him and he was able to force his way over under the posts, Andy Davies adding the extras. The boys in blue and gold took confidence from this and continued their threatening attack. A half break from Will Mitchell and a offload set away flanker David Steer who pounced to score the second try of the game, Fly half Davies adding the extras yet again. This is where the tide of the half changed. The home side became complacent and the away side capitalised scoring 2 excellent tries in quick succession. The scores going into half time were 14 apiece.

Coach Stanny again tweaked the tactics and gave out his orders.

The home side went back to basics and it began to work again. A break from full back Joe Baskerville put the defence on the back foot and allowed Andy Davies to set up a powerful attacking move. Big prop James Hamilton was stationed 10 metres out from the line when Davies hit him with a well-timed flat ball. With the help of his skipper Dom Moss, Jim was able to bowl through the defence and score the third try for the home side, Andrew Davies adding the 2. The away side, clearly talented, came back at Chapel. Their fullback and winger were proving hard to stop. Chapel were pinned back on their line for a good 5 minutes, only some excellent defence from Mark Stuart and Harry Snape keeping the away side at bay. A fantastic try saving turnover on his own line by flanker Joe Foulkes put an end to the pressure and allowed Chapel to exit. Chapel, now down to 14 men, began to use their heavy ball carriers and were making steady yards up the field. A surging break from centre Luke Blagbrough led to a penalty which allowed chapel to kick into the corner. Another well worked lineout got a maul moving towards the away side’s line. The momentum was building and the full 8 man pack was able to power over with David Steer claiming the try. Chapel were able to see out the game and pick up a huge 8 points to leave them 3rd before Xmas.

A fantastic game and a fantastic run of wins. The lads are improving each week and the work at training is starting to show with the attacking structure becoming integral to their success.

Man of the Match today went to Joe Foulkes who was terrific in defence and stopped a certain try at a crucial point in the game.