Holmes Chapel 1st XV took on Helsby for the fourth time this season last Saturday in a very tough match at Station Road. Even though Chapel had won the 3 previous encounters in both the League and Cheshire Plate group stage, they knew that Helsby can be extremely hard to play against as they proved by nearly toppling league leaders Ramsey a few weeks ago. Dom Moss made his first start in a new position of second row, with Ian Lightfoot brought back in at loosehead prop.

Right from the start, Helsby used their strong ball-carriers to take the game to Chapel and were managing to make inroads into the home defence. Their positive start was rewarded when they took the lead after 5 minutes; their kicker punishing a Chapel offence at the breakdown by converting a penalty. Chapel had the chance to immediately strike back but Kristian Clowes went wide with a penalty attempt. However, after good work from the pack had won a turnover near the Helsby line, Wayne Scott quickly gave the ball to Jon Griffin who held off the last defender to score (conversion missed).

Chapel hoped to build on this early and start to pull away, but the visitors were preventing this through their committed tackling and excellent lineout. One area where the home side held the advantage was in the scrum, with Mike Cottam and Ed Meyrick launching several attacks from the base, but the Helsby defence was holding firm. Helsby missed 2 penalty chances to narrow the gap, with Clowes adding another 3 points for Chapel to extend the lead to 8-3. However, on the stroke of half time the visitors set off on a well organised driving maul that eventually led to a penalty try being awarded – the simple conversion putting them 2 points ahead at the break.

Chapel responded well in the second half and hit back immediately by upping the pace of the game and forcing their opposition to concede penalties. With the referee playing advantage, Paul Watson drove the ball towards the try-line and although he was tackled, Moss scrambled over for his second try of the season. As always, Helsby refused to give up and when Chapel reacted slowly to a tap-penalty their Number 8 made a strong break down the blindside wing. Jed Wragg made a brilliant tackle but the ball was offloaded to the supporting runner who scored under the posts and left another easy conversion to edge the visitors ahead 17-15 with 20 minutes remaining.

However, at this point the home side finally woke up and their improving fitness levels allowed them to dominate the final quarter. Matt Bowden created an overlap with a burst through the middle, which led to a try in the corner for Clowes (conversion missed). Shortly afterwards, Helsby tried to run the ball back from deep and were making progress until a great cover tackle by Scott dislodged the ball in midfield. Daniel Poignand, on as a replacement, scooped up the ball and used his blistering pace to score the try. Clowes converted to bring the score to 27-17.

Chapel added another 5 points before the final whistle, again ripping through the Helsby backs to present Clowes with his second try (conversion missed). The hosts nearly added another score at the death when Andy Fyffe intercepted a loose pass but he stumbled just yards from the line and the chance was lost.

Although Chapel would have welcomed a further try, a wider margin of victory would have been on harsh on the visitors who again showed they are a match for anyone in this league when they are in form. Coach Rick Clarke said afterwards “Helsby are always a very tough team to play against and all that matters is that we got the win. In patches we played some really good rugby and the fitness work we have been doing proved important in the final quarter”.

The Man of the Match award, chosen by Sam Davenport of Davenport Joinery, was given to Paul Watson for another great performance by the veteran tighthead prop.

Chapel travel to Linley & Kidsgrove next Saturday in South Lancashire / Cheshire 3 and nothing short of their best will be good enough to bring home the 2 points. In 4th position, Linley are still very much in the promotion race and only narrowly lost at Station Road earlier in the season thanks to a late Doug Canavan try. It should be a great game of rugby and with no 2nd XV game scheduled, Chapel will hope to bring a few travelling supporters to get behind the team.

It was a disappointing week for the 2nd XV, with late withdrawals leaving Garry Cottam without a full team to travel to Whitchurch 4ths. A brave performance saw them run their opponents close but they went down 15-7, leaving them 3rd in Miller Homes Division 5 South. Joe Maddock was the Chapel try-scorer with Andy Partington adding the conversion.

Holmes Chapel RUFC would like to thank both matchday sponsors, as well as main club sponsors Pochin Construction, Electech, Auto Union Finance, Evadx, Tom Bagley Construction, and AWE Cheshire for their support. Please see the Sponsorship page of our website for more information on our sponsors.

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/holmeschapel/?primary=theclub&secondary=sponsors