New Brighton 2nd 5-22 Holmes Chapel

HOLMES Chapel’s latest victory, their fourth in succession, propelled them to third in the table.

They complete the calendar year with a home date against Didsbury Toc-H seconds on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.

Dom Moss’ men start that contest buoyed by their best run of results to date in North West Intermediate League Division Two South after resisting New Brighton’s physical threat.

They did so despite five regulars not making the trip.

There was little to choose between the teams until Moss turned over and the ball was shifted wide.

Wing Mark Stuart joined in, and invited centre Luke Blagbrough to power between the posts.

Andrew Davies converted.

The home team responded during a spell when second-row Dan Martin was in the sin bin, although their try went unconverted.

The men from Station Road rallied, and fly-half Michael Lightfoot chipped over the defence for Stuart to pounce.

That established a 12-5 interval lead, one the visitors would initially have to protect a man short after Conor Gavin received a yellow card as punishment for a late tackle.

They adjusted though, and a break from centre Joe Baskerville put New Brighton’s defence on the back-foot before a powerful carry from Joe Foulkes resulted in a try.

In control, Chapel repelled what their opponents threw at them.

They increased their tally too, banking a bonus-point when substitute Kyran Davies latched onto brother Andrew’s forward kick before finishing neatly.

He had made the same impact against Whitchurch seconds seven days earlier, scoring with his first touch after coming on.