Northwich 3rd 29 Holmes Chapel 26

CAPTAIN Dom Moss insists Holmes Chapel are focused on bouncing back from Saturday’s defeat with a win this weekend.

The North West Intermediate League Division Four South leaders visit Bowdon thirds on Saturday.

Chapel, who have a 17-point advantage over second-placed Macclesfield fourths, albeit having played a game more, were disappointed with defeat to Northwich having won 59-14 in the reverse fixture.

“It was a disappointing effort from the side,” said Moss. “But we know we can play better than this as proved by our previous performance against the side.

“All we can focus on now is getting down to training and putting out a win next week.”

Jed Wragg opened the scoring, converted by Jack Cottram, and then set the position for Jim Moss to crash over soon after.

Northwich edged ahead with a try and a penalty, but Callum Grant-Smith put Chapel back in control.

Joe Maddock was next to cross, but a Northwich comeback secured victory for the hosts.

Great work at the lineout from front jumper Joe Foulkes saw Chapel regularly stealing possession.

The ball was shipped through the backs but handling errors cost the side, resulting in numerous scrums.

From the scrum, Chapel scooped up and hit the ruck. The ball was shipped along the back line, where it found Jed Wragg who put it across the line for Chapel’s first try. Jack Cottram converted.

With Northwich on the offensive Foulkes dived to get his hands to the ball but knocked on and was shown a yellow card, with the hosts going on to score.

Hard work from Dan Martin and Conor Gavin in the rucks and crash balls paid off as the ball was shipped once again to Wragg, who sped around three defenders before being caught.

The ball was offloaded to Cottam on his inside and then Jim Moss, who crossed for Chapel’s second converted try.

Northwich replied to come within two points at the break and edged ahead soon after from a penalty.

Dave Steer stopped another attack at the death, with Jim Moss scooping up the loose ball and releasing Callum Grant-Smith for Chapel’s third try, converted by Andy Davies.

Good passing play and support on the breakdown saw Chapel break through the line and Joe Maddock crossed for an 11-point lead.

This was short-lived, as Northwich pushed back and won a penalty try, before Dan Martin found himself in the sin-bin and the hosts were awarded another penalty try.

Cottram went close to winning it late on, only to be thwarted by the Northwich winger.