Holmes Chapel 31-7 Widnes 2nd

MARK McEnaney scored three of Holmes Chapel’s five tries when they defeated their title-rivals from last season at the weekend.

Their forwards put in a dominant performance at Station Road, helping the hosts to record a second successive win in the North West Intermediate League.

A period of sustained pressure midway through the first-half ended with Joe Foulkes claiming the ball from the base of the ruck before dotting down.

Andy Davies added the extras.

Widnes rallied, although they were forced to mount almost all of their attacks from inside their own half due to clever running and kicking from their opponents’ backs division.

Indeed Chapel increased their advantage after Will Mitchell stole the ball at a lineout before bulldozing his way over the line.

Davies again did the rest.

The home team’s front five continued to cause problems, disrupting Widnes at the scrum and stealing plenty of possession at lineouts.

Conor Gavin’s power was impressive in the loose, while Beppe Moore defended stoutly.

McEnaney notched two of his tries before the break, the second one improved by Stu Butters’ conversion.

The visitors had time to put their first points on the board when flanker Tom Farmer went between the posts and Josh Paton converted.

Chapel added only one try to their total in the second period, when McEnaney completed a personal treble.

There were spells during which they ought to have increased their tally for the afternoon, only for poor decision-making to cost them.

They head next to Glossop seconds for a Division Two South on Saturday, kick-of 3pm.

Mitch Lawrence and Colin McEnaney touched down for Holmes Chapel’s seconds during a 24-15 defeat at Marple thirds in Division Five South.

Harry Jeanes kicked a penalty and a conversion.