Holmes Chapel ensured that they kept to their winning ways by beating Sandbach 4th XV. Second row pair Dan Martin and Mark McEnaney returned to the starting line-up as the villagers fielded a particularly strong looking starting fifteen. The substitute’s bench contained a plethora of talented individuals and there were plenty of supporters down to watch the first home game of the year.

The first ten minutes did not quite start as the home side would have liked as a large and experienced Sandbach pack were able to display early dominance in the rucks and mauls. Centre Jim Moss provided the break through as an impressive move from the Holmes Chapel back line allowed Holmes Chapel to draw first blood. Smart kicking work from fly-half Mike Lightfoot enabled winger Harry Jeanes and Full-Back Jed Wragg to both score tries. The Holmes Chapel forwards were also putting in hard work and had reversed the visitors’ early dominance in the rucks. The Chapel scrum and lineouts were utilised very well by the home team and Chapel were able to win opposition ball in both set pieces. Chapel finished the first half in emphatic fashion, 50 points clear of their opposition.

Not for the first time this season, Holmes Chapel took their foot off the pedal in the second half and good work from the Sandbach forwards allowed the visitors to claim an unconverted try. Ill-discipline from both sides had the referee reaching to his pocket and sin binning players from both sides. Youthful prop Dave Steer saw yellow (fairly harshly) for hands in the ruck, and Full-Back Jed Wragg also was shown a yellow card for dissent. Chapel were able to see out the game and it finished Holmes Chapel 64 – 5 Sandbach.

Prop Will Mitchell was awarded the man of the match award for another superb game. Vice-Captain Dom Moss had the following to say after the full time whistle, “As a collective we were very happy with our first half performance and each and every player showed the commitment to the Chapel cause that we have come to expect. We did let off in the second half and this is something that we will work on correcting for our next game against Acton Nomads. We were spurred on by fantastic support as always and a huge amount of players were available, which is great.”

Holmes Chapel would like to thank Sandbach for their attitude and spirit during the game and wish them luck for the rest of the season. The next game is on Saturday 10th January 2015 at home to Acton Nomads 1st XV, 2.15pm kick off.

Holmes Chapel Line-up

1. Will Mitchell
2. Neil Almond
3. Ian Lightfoot
4. Mark McEnaney
5. Dan Martin
6. Dom Moss (vc)
7. Tom Chambers (c)
8. Jack Baskerville
9. Andy Davies
10. Mike Lightfoot
11. Gav Paton
12. Rob Moore
13. Jim Moss
14. Harry Jeanes
15. Jed Wragg

Substitutes

16. Dave Steer
17. Jim Bowbeer
18. Ollie Lawrence
19. Alex Gormley
20. Joe Maddock
21. Jack Cottam
22. Nic Clawson
23. Ben Johnson