Wilmslow 3rd 19-38 Holmes Chapel

HOLMES Chapel remain unbeaten in 2017 after emerging as victors from a hard-fought encounter with Wilmslow thirds at the weekend.

Wins for each of the four teams chasing promotion from the North West Intermediate League’s Division Three South leaves the table unchanged, with the men from Station Road sat second.

They felt better after Mark McEnaney applied a finishing flourish to a fine forwards work last Saturday, a try converted by Mike Lightfoot.

Joe Baskerville then rounded the home team’s remaining defender to add to their tally, a score again improved by Lightfoot.

Wilmslow rallied, and powerful running earned the reward of a converted try.

They then repeated the trick shortly afterwards, despite the best efforts of Joe Faulkes and Mark Stewart in the tackle, to restore parity at 14-14.

Neither side had control of proceedings, although Chapel captain Dom Moss touched down to put his side back in front.

Wilmslow replied with a third try of their own, only for Tom Chambers to cross the whitewash before the break to secure a bonus-point while establishing a narrow 26-19 interval lead.

Chapel breathed easier when Gav Paton broke through the hosts’ defence to increase the away team’s advantage.

Buoyed by Jim Hamilton leading by example in the pack, supported by front-row partner Will Mitchell, they made certain of maximum points when Josh Berry claimed the final score of the game.

Chapel entertain Village Spartans at Station Road this Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

The seconds, whose opponents Old Bedians thirds conceded last weekend, don’t have a game.