Liverpool Collegiate 2nd 5-14 Holmes Chapel

THE right Steer put table-toppers Holmes Chapel on the road to a third consecutive victory at the weekend.

A hesitant start led to Liverpool Collegiate crossing for an opening score but a switch move performed by Mike Lightfoot resulted in a converted try from stand-in centre Dave Steer to establish a lead that was never lost.

His effort, on the back of the boys in blue increasing their work-rate at the ruck, was followed by a decisive second-half try from man-of-the-match Conor Gavin, again converted by Andy Davies.

The former's introduction off the bench at the break had an immediate impact and it was from one of his numerous trademark big carries that he got over the line to inflict only a fourth defeat of the season on a side relegated last year.

Chapel had deserved the winning score, with Jim Moss having been stopped a metre short earlier in the half and Lightfoot also making a break that put the hosts on the back foot.

Despite the mounting pressure, Collegiate were holding on until Chapel reverted back to basics.

Luke Cheetham took the ball direct from a ruck to force his way up the pitch before Gavin repeated the act to power over.

Chapel, now three points clear of Chester's thirds in North West Intermediate League Division Two South, host Liverpool St Helens' seconds on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.