Cup Success

Holmes Chapel 1st XV were in action again this Saturday (17/10/15) against Congleton 2nd XV in the Raging Bull Shield. Chapel were very successful in the cup last year emerging overall winners; they will want to repeat the success this season. Holmes Chapel had already faced Congleton once this season away from home where they came out on top. This time it would be Congleton’s turn to travel and they would be coming to station road looking to progress themselves and also to spoil their rivals’ day.

Congleton started very strongly and within the first five minutes had pushed a maul over the line for a try. This was duly converted, leaving Congleton seven points ahead. The home side were able to keep the ball more successfully and hands in the ruck lead to a Holmes Chapel penalty. Scrum half Andy Davies stepped up to take the kick and was able to reduce the margin. Around five minutes later the same thing happened again and Davies once again kicked successfully for goal. Holmes Chapel scored their first try as Dave Steer hit a very good line, beat his man and was able to score. Steer, usually a prop showed great versatility and was playing well far away from the front row at inside centre. Davies converted the try. Congleton came out from the kick off all guns blazing and scored another try of their own to put the score to 14-13 to the visitors at half time.

Changes on the wings saw Luke Day make his debut and he made an instant impact. Receiving the ball out wide, Day showed surprising strength to evade tackles and put the ball over the whitewash. Andy Davies could unfortunately not convert this try, but the side in blue and gold were in front for the first time. Davies put the mistake behind him and scored a penalty from a more difficult position around five minutes later. Full back Jack Cottam joined the back line and was able to get on the score sheet with Davies adding the extras. Davies excellent game did take a sour turn when he was shown a yellow card for kicking the ball away. Cottam moved to scrum half, leaving Chapel exposed at the back. The bears took advantage of their extra man and used an overlap to score a try which they converted. Davies ten minutes on the side lines was up and he came back on to score a further two penalties and winning Holmes Chapel the game. The game finished Holmes Chapel 1st XV 34 – 21 Congleton 2nd XV.

After the game, experienced player Joe Maddock said “we faced a good Congleton team today and I think that they will be disappointed to leave empty handed. The leaders of the team made a lot of good decisions today with regards to kicking for goal, and Andy did a great job to put them over. On to the next round of the cup and the next league game.” The man of the match award went to flanker Joe Foulkes for a great display in defence and for his great work over the ball. Holmes Chapel would like to thank Congleton for a good tie and look forward to seeing them at station road again in the league. Holmes Chapel would also like to thank all of their sponsors for their ongoing support, full details can be found on the club website.