Holmes Chapel 71 Crewe & Nantwich 4s 7

HOLMES Chapel vice-captain Dom Moss says competition for a cup final place is hotting up after a comprehensive victory against third-placed Crewe and Nantwich.

Division Five South runaway leaders Chapel face Linley and Kidsgrove in the Plate final in May.

“Lots of people are giving really strong performances and that is going to make selection for the big day so much harder,” said Moss.

“We showed a really strong performance and I’m glad that we were able to rotate the team so much with the final looming.”

They scored 40 points in a half-hour spell to lead 40-0 at the break on Saturday, with prop Dave Steer breaking the deadlock.

Calllum Grant-Smith added another, with further tries from hooker Neil Almond and wingers Jed Wragg and Ben Johnson, who weaved past three players to score.

Jack Cottam maintained a 100 per cent conversion rate at the interval.

Chapel added a further 31 points after the break, with full back Joe Maddock scoring soon after the resumption.

It was followed by further tries for Johnson, Angus Morison, two, James McLennon and Rob Moore.