Widnes 2nd 27-24 Holmes Chapel

HOLMES Chapel could not make the most of a numerical advantage when a six-match winning run was halted last weekend.

They played the final five minutes with two extra players after Ben Mercer and Eddie McAdam had been sent to the sin bin, but could not overturn a three-point deficit.

Instead their hosts celebrated avenging a defeat at Station Road in the teams’ previous meeting.

They traded penalties – Andy Davies scoring for Chapel and Tom Beech replying for Widnes – during an even opening.

The home team went in front when Josh Salter dummied a pass to wing Ben McQuillian before going over in the corner.

Beech converted for 10-3.

The visitors responded, and were rewarded when they opted for a scrum at which Widnes infringed to concede a penalty-try.

However they trailed by the break following captain Tom Griffiths’ score for the hosts after James Owen had taken a clearance kick on the full.

Beech also landed another three-pointer.

Chapel, led by Tom Chambers in Dom Moss’ absence, started the second-half by reducing the deficit when a rolling maul cut open their opponents’ defence.

Davies landed the extras too.

They were left frustrated though when Jack Gilhooley who raced clear to score another converted try for Widnes.

A physical contest boiled over when Mercer received a yellow card, and Conor Gavin inflicted further punishment when he crashed over following a scrum.

Davies remained reliable with the boot, and Chapel trailed 27-24.

When McAdam followed Mercer off the field, their hopes raised further.

However they did not score again.

Chapel stay second in North West Intermediate League Division Two South, at least for now, ahead of a visit from table-toppers Glossop seconds on Saturday.