Rugby union: Holmes Chapel 21 Helsby 8

Dec 10 2009 Chester Chronicle

Holmes Chapel 21Helsby 8

HELSBY were no match for Holmes Chapel for the second Saturday in a row.

Having gone down to their county rivals in the league, a patched-up Helsby lost out again in the Cheshire Plate on Saturday.

Last-minute withdrawals forced the visitors to reshuffle their team, but they started well and put the first points on the board.

A rolling maul from a five-meter lineout allowed scrum-half Matty Dumbell to scamper over for Helsby.

The hosts were soon back in contention when a needless body check allowed them three points from the penalty. A try and another penalty followed but Helsby – who lost Dumbell to a leg injury – responded through a Kev Ryder penalty, making it 11-8 to the hosts at the break.

Ryder missed the chance to level the scores when he sliced a penalty and, as the match approached its final quarter, Holmes Chapel upped the pace.

They kicked another penalty and then scored a try to seal the victory.

Bob Merrill was man of the match for Helsby, who return to South Lancs/Cheshire Three action this Saturday with a trip to Knutsford.

Christleton, whose match at Eagle 2nds in Division Four West of the Miller Homes League was postponed on Saturday, go to Birkenhead Park 3rds this Saturday.