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Chapel too strong for spirited Nomads

Chapel too strong for spirited Nomads

Andy Partington12 Jan 2015 - 09:01
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Streak still alive

Chambers leads by example
Holmes Chapel took on local rivals Acton Nomads at the weekend in what turned out to the toughest league clash of the season so far. Acton Nomads arrived at Station Road with a large, strong squad of players eager to be the first team to knock unbeaten Holmes Chapel off their perch.

The intensity of the first ten minutes was very high as neither team wanted to give their opponents any ground. High winds made this affair heavily forward orientated. Holmes Chapel were unable to get off to the quick start they have grown accustomed too in recent weeks and the game remained pointless for the first fifteen minutes. A great break from Vice-Captain Dom Moss paved the way for the first try of the day. Good support from Captain Tom Chambers gave Moss the option of a short pop, and Chambers was able to crash over the line under the posts. Fly Half Joe Maddock added the extras. After the first try, the games intensity dropped and both sides became more complacent. After two Acton Nomad’s players were sin-binned for violent conduct and deliberate foul play, Holmes Chapel lock Dan Martin was given a yellow card for dissent. An ambitious chip from Moss was charged down by an Acton centre, and subsequently kicked all of the way to the try line. The Nomads man won the running race and was able to dive on the loose ball to make the score 7-5. The try was not converted. Before the first period was up, full-back Jed Wragg gained his second yellow card in as many matches for a scuffle off the ball. The half ended and captain Chambers was forced to give his team a fiery team-talk in an effort to address the lack of application and discipline.

Acton had a chance to come within two points of their opponents in the second half when, following more dissent, a Holmes Chapel 22-drop out was changed by the referee into an Acton penalty in front of the posts. Holmes Chapel players breathed a noticeable sigh of relief, when the high winds carried the ball wide of the uprights. Great running from replacement prop Dave Steer weakened the Acton defensive line and fellow front-rower Will Mitchell squeezed through a gap and over the line for Chapel’s second try. With Acton still within one score, the home side changed their game plan and decided to try and run down the clock, by keeping the ball in the forwards. Chapel kept possession well, but a nervous fifteen minutes still remained of the game. With ten minutes to go, number 8 Jack Baskerville took a pass from the back of a ruck, broke the line and beat the Acton full-back. He then dived over the line for his second try of the season, to give Holmes Chapel a comfortable margin. This score seemed to break Acton’s resolve and Tom Chambers was able to run in his second try of the game in the dying seconds. The game ended Holmes Chapel 24-5 Acton Nomads. Holmes Chapel’s winning streak now stands at 16 games in all competitions.
Captain Tom Chambers was named man of the match for his performance on the pitch, but also for inspiring his team to give an extra 10% when the game was harder than Chapel have been used to this season. He said after the game, “We faced a lot of difficulties of our own making and we certainly need to correct our mistakes for future games. Acton were a very strong tem and tested our mettle, we showed great spirit in the final quarter of the game by altering our strategy and proving clear winners in the end. Training will start again in March and commitment to training is essential for the club’s future, as well as its present.”

Holmes Chapel line up
1. Will Mitchell
2. Neil Almond
3. Cocky
4. Dan Martin
5. Mark McEnaney
6. Dom Moss (vc)
7. Tom Chambers (c)
8. Jack Baskerville
9. Alex Gormley
10. Joe Maddock
11. Gavin Paton
12. Jim Moss
13. Rob Moore
14. Harry Jeanes
15. Jed Wragg
Substitutes
16. Dave Steer
17. Dan Henderson
18. Jim Bowbeer
19. Ben Johnson
20. Chef

Further reading