Northwich 2nd 21-26 Holmes Chapel

DOM Moss, Holmes Chapel’s captain, hailed his players’ determination after they had come from behind to claim a last-gasp victory.

The visitors turned over possession from a close contest’s final play and started a move that ended with Tom Chambers running clear to touch down.

Andy Davies’ kick added gloss to a sixth successive win in the North West Intermediate League’s Division Two South.

“We didn’t make it easy on ourselves,” said Moss.

“But even the best teams have to grind out difficult wins like this one against good opposition.”

It is exactly the boost they need ahead of a visit to Station Road from third-placed Helsby on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.

However they were forced to react by hosts Northwich after conceding two converted tries at Moss Farm where they trailed 14-0 by the break.

They were helped as well by a moment of ill-discipline by an opponent who was sent off early in the second-half as punishment for throwing punches.

Coach Johnathan Stanway sent on Mark McEnaney and Ed Chappell, helping Chapel to assume control.

Harry Dyson put the first points on the board for the visitors after Dave Steer had broken through the home team’s defensive line.

Moss and Chambers then combined before the latter claimed his side’s second try, this time converted by Davies.

A handling error from Mike Lightfoot gifted to Northwich a try, which they improved, that left Chapel 21-12 adrift.

They continued to attack though and a steal at a lineout led to the centres inviting Dyson to dot down.

Davies duly added the extras.

Northwich, determined to extend an unbeaten run to four matches, resisted for the remaining quarter of an hour.

That was until Jim Moss pinched back the ball from a lineout late on, starting a sequence that included McEnaney and Steer before Chambers darted through a gap in the defence to score a decisive try.