Close But No Cigar

Tightest game of recent years sees Blue and Gold’s cup run come to an end
This Saturday (14/11/15) Holmes Chapel faced old adversaries Capenhurst in the Brooke Edgley Specialist Technical Services Shield. The two teams used to face each other in the RFU leagues and had many closely fought contests. Capenhurst have recently experienced a similar experience to Chapel and have chosen to ply their trade in the NOWIRUL leagues.

Holmes Chapel knew that this game would be a tough encounter and Capenhurst did not disappoint. Their big pack smashed into Chapel’s forwards constantly for the vast majority of the game. The home side were the first to get onto the scoresheet with a penalty from Andy Davies. Capenhurst won themselves a penalty shortly after for holding on the floor. The ball was kicked high and wide above the Holmes Chapel uprights and the score remained 3-0 to Holmes Chapel. The ball was kept mainly in the forwards for the first fifteen minutes and when it did come out to the Capenhurst back line they were very effective. He skipped through the Holmes Chapel back line and dived over the line under the posts. The away side’s kicker easily added an extra two points.

Chapel were straight back out at their opponents from the restart and Andy Davies brought his team within one point with another penalty. Holmes Chapel’s forwards and back had many breaks and runs at the Capenhurst defence but their tackling was good and resulted in a few turnovers. The Capenhurst captain opted to kick for goal at every opportunity and one of these opportunities was taken to make the score 10-6 to the visitors. Once again Holmes Chapel kept possession for a long period of time. Inside the Capenhurst 22, Mike Lightfoot passed the ball out to inside centre Gavin Paton who managed to skip past his man and then throw a wide pass out to the wing. Fiesty winger Luke Day collected the ball and scored in the corner. The conversion was right on the touchline and was just out of reach for scrum half Davies. Chapel lead by one into the final fifteen minutes.

After Holmes Chapel gave away another penalty, the ball was slotted between the post to put the visitors two points clear at 13-11. Holmes Chapel held the ball for the final ten minutes but were unable to penetrate the Capenhurst back line. In the dying moments the ball came out for Lightfoot and he chipped over the top, hoping a winger would dash onto it. Unfortunately for the home team, the Capenhurst fullback was first there and called the mark. He kicked the ball to touch to end the game. Final score Holmes Chapel 11-13 Capenhurst.

Holmes Chapel would like to thank all of the supporters who stood in the pouring rain and showed wonderful support as always. They would also like to thank their sponsors for the ongoing support. Finally Holmes Chapel would like to thank Capenhurst for a fantastic game played in the right spirit, we wish you the best of luck in your league and in the rest of your cup fixtures.