Holmes Chapel secured their promotion to Freshlet Division 4 South with a win over Stockport 4th XV on Saturday. Chapel won their 22nd game in a row (in all competitions) and will be crowned league champions if they can win one further league game.

Chapel travelled to Stockport with an air of apprehension and excitement as every player knew exactly what was on stake. Captain Dom Moss arranged a relatively early meet time to ensure they arrived at Stockport with plenty of time to spare, acknowledging that a solid preparation before the game would be required. Holmes Chapel got off to a very good start; with centre Angus Morison weaving his way over the line for a try within the first five minutes. Minutes later, further excellent work from Morison gifted flanker Jim Bowbeer an easy try 5 yards out. Andy Davies added the extras to make the score 12-0. Holmes Chapel piled on the pressure in the first half hour of the game and continued to score. Tries from centre Jim Moss, winger Alex Gormley and a second for Angus Morison gave Holmes Chapel a very comfortable margin at half time. The visitors eased off the pressure in the final ten minutes of the first half and the first period finished Stockport 0-31 Holmes Chapel.

The beginning of the second half lacked the intensity that was characteristic of the early first half and Holmes Chapel struggled to regain their foothold. The visitors gave away needless penalties. A number of times they were marched 10 yards closer to their own try line by the referee due to dissent. Stockport’s forwards capitalised on Chapels shortcomings and were able to push themselves over the line for a try. After conceding a try, Moss laid his expectations down in no uncertain terms and Chapel returned to the half way line with a more determined mind-set. After a good period of pressure from Chapel’s pack, prop Will Mitchell received the ball and crashed over the line to score his fifth try of the season. Stockport came back from this try and were awarded penalty after penalty in the Chapel half. When it looked certain that Stockport would score; a quick tap and go penalty was embarrassingly knocked on, relieving the pressure on Chapel. The scrum was won by Chapel and the ball cleared by fly half Mike Lightfoot. Holmes Chapel spent the remainder of the game in the Stockport half and Angus Morison completed his hat-trick to round off a very accomplished performance. Following a wonderful piece of play, Holmes Chapel showcased the handling skills that they had been working on in training, and Lightfoot completed the move by nipping over the white line for five points. Andy Davies, on a rare off day with the boot, was unable to score the conversion. The game came to a close with celebrations coming from Chapel as they knew that they would definitely be playing in a different league next season. Final score Stockport 5 – 46 Holmes Chapel.

Unsurprisingly, hat trick hero Morison was named man of the match and made a very strong case for his inclusion in the starting XV for next week’s cup game. Vice-captain Dan Martin had this to say after the game: “The first 30 minutes of the game were superb and we played a lot of very good rugby. However, I struggle to use any superlatives about the second half, as we really took our foot off the pedal. We need to get down to training on Tuesday to refine our game and work on the areas that need to be improved before Saturday. Saturday is a huge game and we need to turn up in the correct frame of mind for what is sure to be one of the toughest tests of the season. Please make yourself available for Saturday, and also get down to training on Tuesday at 6.45pm at Holmes Chapel 3G pitches.”

Holmes Chapel would like to thank their opponents Stockport for a good contest and their hospitality. We would also like to acknowledge that they really made us work for the win and wish them luck in the rest of their fixtures this season. Holmes Chapel couldn’t achieve what we have achieved this season without help from outside organisations and would really like to thank all of our sponsors (details can be found on the website). Next week’s fixture sees Holmes Chapel take on Prenton 2nd XV in the semi-final of the Lighting and Building Services Plate. Please come down and support us at station road in what is sure to be a great game and day out.

Holmes Chapel Lineup
1. Will Mitchell
2. Dan Henderson
3. Steve Corcoran
4. Dan Martin
5. Mark McEnaney
6. Dom Moss
7. Jim Bowbeer
8. Ollie Lawrence
9. Andy Davies
10. Mike Lightfoot
11. Alex Gormley
12. Jim Moss
13. Angus Morison (MoM)
14. Harry Jeanes
15. Jack Cottam
Substitutes
16. Tom Emerson
17. Neil Almond
18. Jon Griffin
19. Ali Lightfoot
20. Tom O’Donoghue