A focussed, calculated and measured bus travelled up to Tarleton and very different bus
returned. One lad did mix up the bus journeys and polished off a donner kebab on the way down.
Luckily what happened in between was that Chapel were able to get off to winning ways in their
cup campaign.

Indeed if there is ever a journey that is more than an hour – the Chapel lads automatically think
two things: Bus and Booze.

On arrival after our lengthy journey the boys needed to shake off the jet lag and get their heads
focused on the match. There wasn’t time to reflect on the sights of the M6 or discuss their plan
for getting leathered that night.

They were soon in a match against a big set of Tarleton lads. The kick off came and the ball was
fired high in to the Chapel forwards. It took all of a minute for the ball to once again be fired out
to Jack Cottam – who ran the ball in to the corner to score his third try within the first minute of a
game this season. It seems he is getting himself a reputation as a quick finisher amongst the
lads.

From there the boys in blue and gold took control of the match, with Mark McEnaney, Jim
Moss, Dom Moss, Andrew Davies and Will Mitchell all getting on the score sheet. The
platform for the tries came down to a very solid scrum from the Chapel pack. This had been
missing in recent weeks so it was great to see this if full force once again.

Stuart Butters also kept the score board ticking excellently kicking five conversions and a
penalty through the match.

Tarleton tested us right until the very end and bounced back with 10 points of their own. They
also added to their might by adding a few of the first and second team in to the side. After adding
these to the team Chapel actually scored more points as they settled in to the match.

The match ended in a comfortable and impressive win for Chapel, with the final score at 43 -10.
Time for a beer…or several…

The bus back proved a typically messy one and needless to say took a few casualties with it.
In spite of the men down, it was a great night had by all. How else do you get initiated in to the
Chapel side without losing your self-restraint, balance and morals?

In terms of the rugby – we are on to the next round of the cup and ready to go again. Chapel are
set to play Mossley Hill. With the journey suggested at 57 minutes on google we will have to see
if that warrants another bus.