More celebrations as Chapel proceed to final
Holmes Chapel played Prenton in the Lighting and Building Services cup and emerged as victors. In what was easily the hardest fought game of the season, Chapel impressed in attacked and defence and will play Linley and Kidsgrove on 2nd May in the final.

Prenton showed true scouse spirit and took the fight to Chapel from the off. The home side stayed strong and wonderful defence from all of the Chapel defence kept the game scoreless. After twenty minutes hands in the ruck gave Prenton the opportunity to put themselves three points ahead. The Prenton fly-half kicked wide and the game remained just as tense. Minutes later Holmes Chapel were given an opportunity to score a penalty kick. Andy Davies, unusually playing at fly half, kicked the ball to the left of the uprights. Holmes Chapel kept up their offensive and had the ball held up just short of the try line. Ten minutes later Prenton had recovered and were attacking the Holmes Chapel half with great gusto. As Prenton came excruciatingly close to the blue and gold line, Chapel had just enough to throw their bodies at the oncoming attackers and hold Prenton short of a score. Five minutes before the break, veteran prop Ian Lightfoot received a yellow card for killing the game during a ruck. This setback spurred Chapel on and allowed for mobile front-row Dave Steer to enter the fray. A Prenton back was sent to the sin-bin for the same offense and the game reached the half way point. Half time score Holmes Chapel 0 – 0 Prenton.

Holmes Chapel had been waiting for this kind of game for the whole season and came out of the blocks in the second half at an astonishing pace. Five minutes in, top try-scorer Jed Wragg dashed along the wing and outpaced his opposite man to score in the corner. Davies was composed enough to put his side a further two points ahead. More of the same followed and the game was evenly matched. Prop Dave Steer gave away a penalty for use of the elbow and was lucky to escape further punishment but Prenton were unable to capitalise. The centre partnership of Mike Lightfoot and Jim Moss hastened forward as the ball came into open play and time and time again Prenton were unable to break the Chapel line. With ten minutes left, scrum-half Jim Bowbeer took the ball from the back of a ruck and passed to winger Wragg. Wragg once again outpaced his man and this time scored underneath the posts. Davies converted the try and the game tipped into Chapel’s favour. Chapel continued on the offensive and were awarded a penalty. Captain Dom Moss showed a cool head to opt for goal and Davies slotted home. With minutes to go, Prenton were caught napping when lock McEnaney received a quick line-out and put the game beyond doubt. Davies made it three from three for conversions. The final whistle blew and the Chapel players left the field amidst applause from the numerous spectators that had gathered to watch the meeting. The game finished Holmes Chapel 24 – 0 Prenton.

With so many commendable performances, the choice for man of the match was not clear cut. In the end a joint honour was decided on; centre Jim Moss and scrum-half Jim Bowbeer were chosen. Moss gave his usual strong performance in defence and looked dangerous in attack. Bowbeer played out of position and gave Chapel the calmness and coolness that the home side needed at the break down. Captain Dom Moss was visibly brimming with pride and said “We had an absolutely astonishing defensive display today. Everyone turned up with the right frame of mind and the forwards provided a great platform on which our backs could really show their class. We have booked our place in the final now and that is an absolutely wonderful achievement. Our next goal is now to win next week to crown ourselves the league champions, and then to end the season unbeaten. I really am struggling to express how proud I am of the lads today but I think the club spirit that is visible today speaks for itself.”

Holmes Chapel will play Bowden at home next week and a win will see them crowned league champions. Please make yourself available to play and also get down to the club to show the same kind of support that has been on offer to the team so far this season. Holmes Chapel would like to thank Prenton for what was an incredibly hard game and the kind of challenge deserving of the squad that is being put out. A mention also needs to go to our sponsors Pochin, EvadX, AWE, Bulcon, J.K Ashbrook and RVM for their (as always) outstanding support.

Holmes Chapel
1. Will MItchelll
2. Neil Almond
3. Ian Lightfoot
4. Dan Martin (vc)
5. Mark McEnaney
6. Jon Griffin
7. Dom Moss (c)
8. Mike Cottam
9. Jim Bowbeer (MoM)
10. Andy Davies
11. Jed Wragg
12. Mike Lightfoot
13. Jim Moss (MoM)
14. Angus Morison
15. Joe Maddock
Substitutes
16. Dave Steer
17. Rob Moore
18. Dan Henderson
19. Calum Grant-Smith
20. Gavin Paton
21. Alex Gormley
22. Jack Cottam