Let the Adventure begin……

So, after 4 months of anticipation and preparation, Lymm’s odyssey into National 2 West, begins on Saturday with an away fixture at Luctonians, which situated 5 miles outside Leominster, in the beautiful rural county of Herefordshire.

Of the 13 clubs to be faced this season, only Chester are well known to Lymm.  In 2013-14, Lymm were level transferred to National 3 Midlands, and played against both Hinckley and Syston; whilst Hornets were opponents in a pre-season friendly in 2024 – leaving 9 completely new opponents.

So, there are 12 clubs we know very little about – either on or off the pitch – creating a great opportunity to make new friends, share experiences and convey the ethos, spirit and camaraderie of our fabulous club to pastures new.

At this point, all we know about Luctonians is what we read – but they do sound a mighty fine club with a culture and principles aligned with our own; I’m thinking Luctonians is on a par with Tynedale or Wharfedale, great northern clubs we have thoroughly enjoyed visiting over the past two seasons.

So, what have we read:

• Luctonians was founded in 1948 – so just 12 years before Lymm – as Old Luctonians.
• It had strong initial links with Lucton School, as we did with Lymm Grammar School.
• Luctonians played their first season in a field behind a pub, the Angel Inn, whereas Lymm was founded in a pub, the Spread Eagle!
• Luctonians moved to its current home, Mortimer Park in 1967; Lymm moved its current home, Beechwood, in the early 1960’s.
• Luctonians began playing M&J rugby in the early to mid-1990s, Lymm having done so in the mid-1980s. For both clubs their M&J sections have provided the vast majority of their senior playing squads and been the foundation for the successes enjoyed to date.
• Luctonians were promoted to National League 2 (Level 4) from the 2010-11 season, the same year that Lymm were promoted to Regional 3 North (Level 5).
• Since then, Luctonians have enjoyed 13 of the last 14 seasons in National 2, with one season in the Midlands Premier league in 2019-20 following relegation the previous season.
• Interestingly, for the first 10 of these 13 seasons Luctonians were placed in National 2 North – enjoying trips to far flung outposts such as Tynedale, Kendal and Darlington – so perhaps there will be empathy for the long trips Lymm face this season.
• Since being moved into National 2 West, Luctonians’ performances certainly appear to have moved up a gear, as they have never finished below 5^th in the league.
• Over this period, home form, in particular, has been mightily impressive as they have won 29 out of 39 matches, registering an average scoreline of 34-17 in the process.

Lymm will travel high in confidence, given last season’s outstanding performance, with a young squad keen to challenge themselves against new opponents boasting a great pedigree.  Whatever the result, it is sure to be an entertaining early season encounter played on a fast pitch, hopefully, in fine conditions.  Having said that, a Lymm win will certainly shorten the bus ride home!

Also this Saturday Lymm 2nd XV begin their 2025-26 campaign at home to Sale FC Vikings KO 3pm and the Eagles are away to Glossop 2nds KO 3pm

Finally take time to visit the new Senior Players page to see the full Senior Team squad this season:

https://www.lymmrugby.co.uk/senior-players/

Andy Leach