Moore accelerate to fine victory

Oct 2 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

Holmes Chapel 8 Moore 13

MOORE downed the early South Lancs Cheshire Three leaders – winning in Holmes Chapel for the first time in five years.

The visitors were aware of the pace and skilled handling of the home backs but after a pensive 10 minutes – and having survived good wide attacking plays – Moore got their drift defence working.

With stand-off Ben Lester kicking well, it wasn’t long before Moore’s backs also started to threaten.

MoM Noel Ferguson starred at hooker while second rower Richards jumped well in the lineouts at four, giving a solid platform.

Ben Lester, having sent brother Adam onto regular crash balls, caught the home defence napping with a dummy pass – accelerating through himself for Hollington to goal from under the sticks.

Chapel had to resort to kicks but were denied by the safe hands of Dignam and the pinpoint boot of full-back Thorpe.

However, a mistake led to a Holmes Chapel try to which they added a penalty for a one-point lead.

Griffiths and Pollock came on for the second half and Moore were soon back in charge thanks to strong running from their centres and effervescent winger Johns.

Hollington’s easy penalty midway through restored Moore’s lead.

In the last 10 minutes, desperate home attempts to win quality ball in their own half led to penalties against them and Moore turned one of these decisions into three clinching points.

Moore 2nds 19 Birchfield 2nds 24

BIRCHFIELD recovered well from early Moore tries by Harris and Carroll, the second converted by Potter.

Moore looked to have added further touchdowns but the referee ruled out efforts by Beddard, unable to see the grounding, and Hankey.

Birchfield made their presence felt with a converted try and penalty reducing their arrears to two.

After the interval, both sides missed with penalty-goal attempts. But from good forwards pressure, Moore’s Woollacott timed his pass for Taylor to score at the corner. Potter converted but then missed a penalty.

In the last five minutes, more missed tackles allowed Birchfield to cross.

After charging down a last-minute drop, they were soon awarded a penalty try, converted with the last kick of the match.