Champions

On Saturday 28th March, Holmes Chapel set a marker down for the looming cup final by beating Linley and Kidsgrove on their own turf. Conditions were not as ideal as they have been in previous weeks; strong winds and a muddy surface made the ball difficult to play with and resulted in a fairly scrappy game.

Holmes Chapel dominated early possession and after a well caught line-out by captain Dom Moss, young flanker Callum Grant-Smith took control of the ball at the back of the resulting maul. Chapel were able to push their opposition backwards for 10 yards before Grant-Smith could drop to the ground over the line. The visitors did not relent in their attack and winger Angus Morison scored to double Chapel’s lead. After recovering from a foot injury, Joe Maddock was able to regain his previous form and showed his skill to add to the score-sheet. The game was heavily contested in the forwards with vice-captain Dan Martin showing passion in the rucks and the Chapel forwards following his example to win clean ball for the backs. The game in the backs was not as evenly contested as it was in the forwards, with Scotsman Morison scoring twice, completing his hat-trick before the game had even reached its halfway point. Within the opening period Holmes Chapel were forced to make an unplanned change; Neil Almond replaced his apprentice Rob Moore at hooker, after the latter sustained a shoulder injury during a tackle. The first half reached its conclusion and the score was Linley and Kidsgrove 0 – 29 Holmes Chapel.

Moss issued strong words to his team at half time and ensured that each man knew that the job was not done. Tactical changes saw wingers Morison and Wragg move into the centres to inject some pace and offer an alternative to the more powerful approach provided by Jeanes and Maddock. The change came to fruition almost immediately as Wragg danced his way through the Linley back line to score underneath the posts. Within the hour, Wragg’s partner Morison added his fourth try of the match, to put Chapel 41 points clear of their opposition. After a period of excellent offloading and passing, Moss was able to cross the whitewash in what was arguably Chapel’s finest moment of the match. In a moment that will surely never be witnessed again, second row Martin kicked the ball clear of the Linley back line and showed an exhilarating turn of pace to outsprint all of the retreating defenders. Despite their best efforts, none could catch Martin and he was able to score in the corner. Less prestigious scenes saw Martin’s fellow second row Gavin Paton yellow carded for a scuffle with a Linley forward. In the dying minutes of the game, fly half Mike Lightfoot kicked for the corner giving Chapel the opportunity to try a set-piece move from a lineout. The ball was thrown expertly to Moss who on reaching the ground popped the ball to prop Will Mitchell. Mitchell was unstoppable from 5 yards out and scored his sixth try of the season. Shortly afterwards the final whistle blew. The match finished Linley and Kidsgrove 3rd XV 0 – 62 Holmes Chapel.

For a four try display, powerful running and a strong defence, centre Angus Morison was awarded the man of the match award. Back row and skipper Dom Moss said after the game “we gave a pretty accomplished display again a team that we will meet again in the final of the cup. Hopefully the score line will once again be in our favour on the 2nd May, but we cannot become complacent before then. Every single player is playing for their place in the cup final squad right until the final league game of the season. We are in a very good position in that we probably have 30 players who could be picked for that 20 man squad and that is going to make selection incredibly tough. To give yourself a chance of playing on the day, you need to keep making yourself available on a Saturday, turning up to training on a Tuesday and giving your all every time you put on a Holmes Chapel shirt.” Holmes Chapel would like to thank Linley for the match and acknowledge that despite the score line, they never gave up and showed a fighting spirit throughout the match. We look forward to seeing you again on the 2nd May at Eccles RUFC. Holmes Chapel would also like to thank their sponsors Pochins, EvadX, AWE Cheshire Ltd, Reliance Vehicle Management, Bulcon and JK Ashbrook. Holmes Chapel will next be in action at home to local rivals Crewe and Nantwich 4th XV on 11th April (kick off 3.00pm).

Holmes Chapel Line-up
1. Will Mitchell
2. Rob Moore
3. Ian Lightfoot
4. Gavin Paton
5. Dan Martin (vc)
6. Dom Moss (c)
7. Calum Grant-Smith
8. Mike Cottam
9. Andy Davies
10. Mike Lightfoot
11. Jed Wragg
12. Harry Jeanes
13. Joe Maddock
14. Angus Morison (MoM)
15. Jack Cottam
Replacements
16. Steve Corcoran
17. Neil Almond
18. Alex Gormley