Holmes Chapel 1st XV made it a merry Christmas for the Blue Gold by ensuring they will remain top of the league over the festive period with a 61-0 win over Lymm 4th XV last Saturday. In a clinical performance, Jed Wragg helped himself to 6 tries to take his place at the top of the tryscorer leaderboard once again.

Read the full match report by Jack Baskerville here or pick up a copy of the Crewe Chronicle or Knutsford Guardian.

It was a good week to be a visiting team – as well as Chapel, Crewe & Nantwich, Oswestry, Northwich and Old Bedians also won away from home. Sandbach secured an impressive win over Macclesfield and Trafford edged a close one at home to Whitchurch. Old Bedians have leapfrogged Whitchurch into second place but watch out for Crewe with their games in hand.

There is no 1st game now for a couple of weeks but we are planning to have a couple of light-hearted training sessions to keep everyone fit and involved over the Christmas break before the league resumes on Saturday 9 January.

Captain’s Log

Chapel Captain Dom Moss on the win at Lymm and a look ahead to the new year.

Saturday saw us cap an impressive year with a big away win at Lymm 4's. The game finished at 61-0 which leaves us top of the league at the Christmas break.

We now have a few weeks off to enjoy the festive period with our next game not until the 9th of January. We play Trafford Metrovicks at home which is sure to be a tough start to the new year.

I will keep everyone updated about training over the period.

See you all at the annual Pool and Darts Tournament on the 27th.

Dom.

Vets XV aka The Ancients

The Christmas cheer was continued at Marple as The Ancients defeated their worthy opposition 24-7 in a thoroughly enjoyable encounter. While it was very much a social game, both teams were keen to win and Marple held a narrow lead at the interval. After the break, however, some rousing words from Captain Andy John (no-one can remember what they were but he insists they were pretty spectacular) inspired a second half comeback. Andy Partington was particularly proud of his 100% kicking record for the afternoon – well done Andy, 0 from 0.

Read the full match report by Andy Partington here.

All in all, a great day that shows Vets rugby has a good future at the club. We will be looking to arrange several fixtures in the new year and all over-35s are welcome to join us.

Keep these dates in your diary for future matches:

20th February 2016
13th March 2016
16th April 2016

Odd Shaped Balls vs Queens Park Raisins

Match Report from Dave Steer

It was the penultimate game of the season and the final game before Christmas and the Chapel boys were looking for a good win so as to help cement third place for the second time in a row.

The game started well with Chapel playing the ball around well, and eventually some good interplay led to Jack Baskerville (replacing Tom O'donoghue at centre forward) Putting in a strong finish into the corner of the net to give Chapel the lead (1-0)

Chapel continued to dominate, however were still struggling to make clear cut chances in from of goal, on the other hand the OSB defence looked very solid and the opposition did not look like scoring at all. Eventually a nice through ball got Jack Baskerville in space and he was able to better his earlier finish with a powerful shot into the top corner (2-0).

Chapel looked comfortable, however started to ease off and get complacent. This allowed Queens Park Rasins to get a few chances and managed to squeeze in a goal of their own (2-1).

Chapel then responded well with Phil Benson, not known for his goal scoring prowess requesting to go up front, the manager agreed and his faith was rewarded as Benson scored within 1 minute after finding himself 1 on 1 with the keeper (3-1) Phil Benson was immediately pulled back into defence.

The Chapel boys managed to hold off for the win and look set to finish third.

Final Score (3-1)

Man of the match goes to Jack Baskerville for two well executed goals.

Team

GK:Nick Lyons
CB: Phil Benson (C) (1)
CB: Johnathon Stanway
CM: Josh Joyce
LM: Richie Ilgmann
RM: Rob Moore
CF: Jack Baskerville (MoM) (2)

Bench
David Steer

We have a break for Christmas now, however the final game of the season is at 8.30pm on the 7th of Jan against Ji Sung Park the Bus.

A Christmas Message from our Chairman Mike Corfield

What a year 2015 has been for our club. I thought this would be a good time to reflect on the past 12 months and look ahead to 2016.

What a year! The 1st XV have had what can only be described as a magnificent 12 months during 2015. North West 5 Intermediate League Champions, LBS Plate Cup winners, Club of the year 2014/15, unbeaten run of 23 games and top of the Freshlet Division 4 South as we approach the half way point of the season. Winning 11 league games out of 13 scoring 491 points and only conceding 159 and narrowly losing out in a hard fought cup game 11-13 to Capenhurst in the last minute. All this sees us nicely placed for the 2nd half of the season. If we are to achieve our ambition of winning this league then we must maintain the standards the boys have set during the 1st half of this campaign. So let’s continue our superb season into 2016 and build upon the Holmes Chapel RUFC delivering some very exiting rugby both at home and on our travels.

Dom Moss is starting to find his feet now as captain. Leading from the front week in week out, with great commitment from the players – most weeks now we have in excess of 21 players available for selection, which is superb and our aim is to get back to putting out 2 sides within the next 12 months. This year has also seen the introduction of “The Ancients” vets team, again great to see this supported so well with fossils – sorry players – turning out with a great win against Marple last weekend. It is our intention to set up 5 or 6 fixtures a season going forward.

'Socially' we go from strength to strength with great work from Makka & Michelle. Our end of season awards party at the Vic Club on a Sunday afternoon to celebrate our outstanding 2014/15 season was an event for all of the family – just fantastic to see it so well supported. The successful approach of what we do off the field is made possible through the support given by players and members / friends of our club – keep it up, it’s so good to see. I would also like to thank the Vic Club for their support, hospitality and making us feel so welcome – we really appreciate having a home.

Off the pitch we are close to having the changing rooms refurbished and are pursuing several grants with the RFU Rugby Foundation, Cheshire East and other local supporters of Rugby. I really think that we have a great opportunity to build for the future amd put solid foundations in place for HCRUFC.

Our traditional Jolly Boys Pool & Darts Knockout Competition at the Vic Club is scheduled for an 1pm kick off on Sunday 27th December. However, it does not need a rocket scientist to know that the recent years have been somewhat drunken! But it will be great to catch up with friends - old and new - at the Vic Club.

Christmas is a time to be with our family and friends, reflect on where we are and where we want to be in the future. Let’s spare a thought for some special friends and their families who sadly passed away this year. Liam Griffiths and Kev Gormley – you are both very sadly missed and our thoughts are with your families.

Finally, I just want to thank all of you who make our club great - players (old and young), coaches, supporters, volunteers, committee members, friends and sponsors. Let's look forward to 2016 with confidence and excitement. Let’s win the league and become champions again.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Onwards and upwards

Mike

Video of the Week

Thanks to Jack Baskerville for taking time away from his busy schedule and finding us a video this week. He’s gone for some friendly rugby v football banter featuring a fall that Mike Lightfoot would be proud of…

Enjoy the video here.

Following Yonder Bar

Celebrating Christmas in association with HCRUFC!

Santa Hat Saturday

The club are pleased to announce that this event was a huge success and are extremely grateful to the rugby community at large who participated in the fund-raising. Preston Grasshoppers RFC led the way, joined by Sedgely Park RUFC, and raised nearly £500 between them. You can see some pictures from that event on the Hoppers web site.

The Holmes Chapel Ancients were away at Marple RUFC who also very kindly raised funds and with Holmes Chapel raised nearly £300 on a great afternoon of rugby. In addition, we were very grateful that other clubs, such as Sefton RUFC, Stockport RUFC and Sandbach RUFC also joined in. It's anticipated the final total will be well in excess of £1,000. Andy Partington wants to thank everyone who participated and he knows that the Joining Jack Charity will be very grateful.

Pool and Darts Latest Odds from our sponsored bookies; PikeyPower, Madbrooks and BetPup!

It’s nearly here! The Annual HCRUFC Jolly Boys Pool, Darts (& Table Tennis) Xmas Do is on the 27 December at The Vic Club, kicking off at 1pm. To get you in the mood, check out the latest betting odds for the event below…

Pool:
Jack Cottam: evens
Mike Cottam: 5-1
Garry Cottam: 6-1 (if he remembers his readers)
Any Cottam: 3-1
Not a Cottam: 1-2

Darts:
Neil Almond : 1-2
Big Jase: evens
Jack Baskerville: 3-1 (as long as someone does the maths)
Doug Canavan: 3-1
Steve Hatton: 4-1
Ed Chappell: 5-1 (he's good at darts on his Xbox)

Table Tennis:
Jim Moss: 1-3 (that's all he does at "Work")
Joe Foulkes: evens
Luke Day: 2-1 (odds reduced as he has to be in bed by 7pm)
Andy John: 4-1 (surely Wales are good at something)
Mark Mcenenay: 10-1 (don't think his luck will hold)

Other selected Odds:

Callum Grant-Smith to last all day 100-1
Gavin Paton to start doing a stand up performance: 1-100
Gavin Paton to Order severe punishment and exile in South Korea to anyone who beats him 1-150
Lighty to get the first round in: all betting void
Dave Bardsley to mention his Chapel Debut: evens
Rob Moore to turn up: evens
Harry Jeans to break off half way through the day to rumble in the mud: 1-300

Secret Santa Claus is Coming to Chapel

Don’t forget, if you are involved in the inaugural HCRUFC Secret Santa you need to bring your gift to the Jolly Boys do! Maximum spend of £5 but no Lighty, you are not allowed to wait for the January Sales. Thanks to Harry “Come On!” Jeanes for organising this – it’s always Tough to get people involved in new things, even if it is a Muddy good idea.

Ask El Tel

More expert advice from everyone's favourite Agony Uncle.

El Tel

Sorry if this reaches you slightly late - I've been snowed under at my part-time job.

Being one of the most injury-prone rugby players who has ever lived, I haven't spent too much time on the pitch this last couple of years. I am, however, always first in the shower after a game and make sure I'm wearing full kit (which must, repeat must end up back in the bag!).

I have been known to get angry about things - you know, stuff like shirts being put in the bag in an incorrect order, players wearing the wrong number on their shirts, or not being able to retrieve balls that have been kicked over fences, that sort of thing.

I've tried to relax through doing yoga but, not only was it embarrassing when everyone found out, it also messed up my hair so I've had to give it up.

You are a cool, calm and collected kind of a gent so maybe you can give me some advice on how to stay calm the next time somebody gets their shirt muddy?

Many thanks

John Terry, Sandbach Youth Hostel

Dear JT

It’s nice to get a letter from one of the Blue & Gold because these international players and coaches are a moaning lot! Us men have real problems like err… muddy clothes and messed up hair!? What’s that all about? Yesterday I heard that even the barbers in Sandbach are having to turn people away because you have so many bookings and at the moment you are making more appearances at the Northwich Victoria Hospital than for the mighty Chapel.

Come on man pull yourself together, you will never get back in the team if you don’t get some backbone. Oh no I forgot it’s injured. By the way will you be able to put in an appearance at the Jolly Boys Christmas Pool and Darts Knockout Competition at the Vic Club on 27th December at 1pm (advert ok TOW?) as I hear you have broken a finger nail and may need surgery. Anyhow don’t worry you have plenty of holidays to recover while the rest of the team carry on working.

Don’t worry about getting angry, it’s been serving Network Rail’s finest for years. Many an opposition player has feigned injury and been replaced when looking at his angry grimace as he prowls the pitch. A couple of other players could tell you of their experiences, such as Deep Pockets when he thought someone had said “found some beers” instead of “your round for beers” and he ended up paying, or the French Cultural Attaché when someone else got the role of Happy in pantomime at the Lyceum and he ended up playing Dopey!!

Just thought I would let you know than John Terry is less than pleased that someone as sophisticated, charming and well-spoken as yourself should be using his picture as a player profile, he only allows people to use it who are glory seeking, Essex speaking, sandwich short of a picnic and well hard. He suggested you look at someone like George Osborne or Boris Johnson although sadly the latter’s hair is far too wild for you.

Finally, I have had a word with Spadehands and he has a wonderful method for relaxing which involves a cow’s rear end, long rubber gloves and a winch. Apparently it is something that gives him hours of fun…

See you at Jolly Boys if your nail has recovered in time. Let me know if you need to get to A&E.

Love and best wishes for Christmas

El Tel

PS Just to let you know that your annual NHS Prepaid Prescription Card has come through.

Makka’s Tour Sleep Counter (sponsored by Joe Maddock’s Fact of the Week)

169 Sleeps To Go!

Joe says:

“Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system. I always thought he was just pissed.”