Didsbury Toc H RUFC 36

Holmes Chapel RUFC 14

Holmes Chapel faced a tough away game at Didsbury in the cup at the weekend.

Didsbury played most of the first 10 minutes in the Chapel half, but strong tackling kept them out with John Griffiths and Ian Lightfoot leading the way.

Chapel grew in confidence and gained a scrum deep inside the Didsbury half, however Chapel were up against it in the scrums and could not get clean ball.

Despite great play at the back of the scrum from Mark McEneany, Didsbury were able to clear and the early chance had gone for Chapel.

The pace out wide was causing problems for Chapel, but Andy Currie and Johnny Morris were tackling well to stop the attacks.

Didsbury gained a lineout deep inside Chapel's half.

Lee Cagner read the play and intercepted before racing 80 metres in front to put the first points of the game on the board with a fine try and a simple conversion.

Didsbury levelled the score after a well-worked move gave them the overlap and went five ahead before the break. Chapel came out fighting in the second half, determined not to let all their hard work in the first half go to waste.

Chapel were up to the defending task and started to put pressure on the home side.

James Ainsworth was having a fantastic game in the line out, winning his own ball under severe pressure.

Mike Cottam scored Chapel's second try to level.

Andy Partington then kicked the conversion from out wide to take Chapel ahead 14-12.

Chapel hung on to the lead for 10 minutes, but Didsbury went into the lead with another try.

They went 10 points clear as Chapel began to tire and more scores followed.