Holmes Chapel 26-25 Winnington Park 2nd
HOLMES Chapel halted a sequence of three successive defeats on Saturday thanks to Mark McEnaney’s moment of inspiration with time running out.
He took a penalty quickly before charging to the line to score.
Chapel had trailed 25-21 when the he picked up the ball.
It means they head to Chester thirds this weekend in buoyant mood.
They trailed against Winnington when Joe Gadd kicked a penalty for the visitors, and were frustrated when Michael Lightfoot’s try was chalked off.
David Steer did put points on the board for Chapel when he powered over the line from close-range, only for Chris Heale to apply a finishing touch to a lineout drive to restore Park’s lead.
The home team were undeterred, and Andrew Davies made the most of fine work in the scrum by Conor Gavin and skipper Dom Moss to find Luke Blagborough.
He charged down the blind side to notch his side’s second try.
Chapel added to their points tally when the referee awarded a penalty try after Steer was hit by a high tackle as he dotted down, although prop Ed Chappell was sent to the sin bin after committing the same offence at the other end of the field.
That left Winnington in front, a position they seemed sure to protect when Moss rolled over from close-range only for the match official to rule out his try.
McEnaney made sure Chapel frowns did not last long though.
Holmes Chapel’s seconds conceded their scheduled encounter with Congleton thirds in Division Five South.
They host Newcastle next.
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