Holmes Chapel RUFC

After nearly a month of no Rugby at Holmes Chapel excitement is building for this coming Saturday (07/01/2012) when both the 1st XV and 2nd XV are playing at home against Knutsford and Ashton on Mersey respectively.

The 1st XV will be looking to quickly put the disappointment of losing to basement side Helsby in their last outing of 2011 behind them with a crunch match against local rivals Knutsford, never a game for the faint hearted but always a good bunch to have in the club house after, as are Ashton on Mersey so it should be a great atmosphere in the bar on Saturday.

Knutsford and Holmes Chapel have now met 7 times (5 league, 1 cup, 1 friendly) at 1st XV level and currently we have a 100% record against them, winning all games including a comprehensive 46-15 defeat at Knutsford earlier this season, the total score over the 7 games is 242 v 94 in our favour, this can’t be easy reading for our neighbours and I am confident this will be giving them the extra boast they need to come to Station Road and take victory. Knutsford have struggled so far this season, currently sitting 8th in league with 3 wins and 8 loses, they are however a young squad who will surely have a much better 2nd half of the season as they get more experience and their talent begins to show. They have an excellent set up and for such a young club have achieved a huge amount, a club that really achieves their goals and I am sure goal number one for them in 2012 will be to finally record a win against their nearest rivals. All in all this should make for a cracking game of Rugby and a great way to kick start 2012, get down and show your support for the lads – 2pm KO at Station Road.

The 2nd XV are hosting Ashton on Mersey 3rd XV at The Leisure Centre with a 2pm kick off, again a team we have had some excellent games against in recent years and who we enjoy meeting on both the pitch and in the bar. They are currently sitting one place below us in the league in 10th, earlier in the season we lost 32-24 in the away leg and Steve Hattons men will be looking to continue their march up the league and make a good start to 2012 with a big home win. The 2nd team will also be looking forward to welcoming Myles Kitchener as their ref for the game, will be good to share a pint with Myles for the first team in a couple of seasons.

Club Coach Ric Clarke and Captains Mike Cottam and Steve Hatton have asked all players to make a special effort to attend training tonight, Tuesday 3rd of Jan, at 7pm to blow off the Christmas cob webs and get ready for the big challenge ahead this weekend.