Holmes Chapel record first away win of campaign at home of leaders Altrincham Kersal

HOLMES Chapel passed their toughest test of the season last weekend by beating the league leaders, ending a wait to win a first away game.

And they did so despite having to reshuffle a side shorn of both centre Luke Bragbrough and scrum-half Ed Meyrick.

The visitors dominated possession during the opening quarter, and broke through when Tom Chambers stole the ball 10 metres out and charged over in the corner.

They continued to put pressure on their hosts, and Josh Riley strolled between the posts from Joe Baskerville’s pass at the end of a move started at a lineout.

Kersal rallied though, and from their first spell of prolonged possession fly-half Ben Harris touched down following a quickly-taken tap.

The home team started the second-half in a positive fashion too, and levelled the scores at 10-10 after prop Jack Gallimore barged over from close-range.

Rob Moore sparked Chapel back into life when he turned over from the restart.

It was a catalyst, and the men from Station Road edged ahead again after Stewart Butters 60-metre kick landed on the opposition’s try-line.

Debutant Kirk Drummond and Baskerville gave chase, and the latter pounced on a dropped ball to score his side’s third try.

Butters converted a pair of penalties to give his side breathing space, and a defensive led by captain Dom Moss and Mark McEnaney repelled everything Kersal threw at them for the remainder.

Whitchurch seconds are due in town on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.