Whitchurch 2nd 27-27 Holmes Chapel

HOLMES Chapel had to settle for a share of the spoils from an entertaining contest with Whitchurch seconds that ebbed one way and then another.

They rise to third in North West Intermediate League Division Two South as a result, and a gap to the first promotion place is four points with two matches left.

New Brighton seconds, victors in only one of their past 14 games, visit Station Road on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Dom Moss’ men will hope to be more ruthless after allowing their opponents last weekend to pinch a draw from the final play of the contest.

Fortunately they missed the conversion.

A scrappy opening had seen Whitchurch draw first blood following a swift counter-attack.

Their guests rallied though, and Dave Steer off-loaded to his captain after peeling off the back of a scrum and evading attempts by defenders to stop him.

The home team punished a handling error to edge in front again, although the scores were level at the break after Tom Chambers’ try was converted by Jack Cottam.

Chapel rang the changes during the interval, although they conceded again following another untidy start.

Luke Blagbrough bullied his way to the whitewash in reply, aided by fellow centre Jim Moss’ dummy run.

A catch and drive following an attacking lineout ended with interval replacement Jamie Law dotting down before Whitchurch claimed their fourth try.

Steer then forced his way through a retreating defence to score with time running out before the visitors were punished for conceding a series of penalties.