24/04/26 | Matchday Programme
Lymm RFC v Luctonians RFC – Saturday 25th April 2026
Author: John Case
Matchday Sponsors
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President’s Welcome
Dear Members, Guests, Sponsors and Friends of Lymm Rugby Club,
Welcome to Luctonians RFC
This weekend is our final game of the 2025/26 season, and we welcome Luctonians RFC to Beechwood for their first ever visit. Our first meeting with Luctonians was our very first match in National 2 West in September 2025, when we took the honours in a hard fought encounter, 24-13.
A brief history – Luctonians have a rich history in English rugby and as with many of the clubs we play today, their focus is centred around their local community and the development of players through the ranks from their M&Js to their senior teams.
Luctonians started life in 1948, formed from a collection of Lucton School old boys playing their initial season on a field behind a pub in Kingsland Herefordshire. In 1967 the club moved “up the road” to Mortimer Park, which is their current home, and which has been developed over the intervening years to cater for their growth in M&J rugby and other sports.
In 1987 the formation of the leagues in English rugby saw Luctonians placed in the North Midlands Division 1 where they remained for 7 years until 1994. Their 1st XV went unbeaten for 3 seasons from 1993 to 1996, with a league record at the time of 43 consecutive league victories over the period November 1992 through to October 1996.
Following 9 seasons at Level 5, Luctonians were promoted to the National League 2 North in 2010, with a defining encounter away to Stockport which they won 10-18 to seal promotion in May 2010. Luctonians maintained their position in National 2 North until 2017/18 when they were relegated to the Midlands Premier Division at level 5. They bounced back in the following season with a promotion playoff win against Blaydon in April 2019 to secure a return to Level 4. Their position in National 2 North was short lived when the RFU restructured the leagues in 2021/22, moving Luctonians to their current place in National 2 West for the first time. Luctonians have maintained their position in National 2 West since 2021/22, with their highest league position being secured in 2023/24, when they finished second and narrowly missed promotion.
Off the pitch Luctonians have developed their operations significantly with growth in their membership and development of their facilities. In 2019 they received the great honour of being bestowed the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, (QAVS) the highest award in the land for volunteer organisations. This is the predecessor to the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS), that was recently bestowed on Lymm RFC.
We look forward to welcoming the Luctonians President, John Bohan, their 1st XV and coaches and their travelling support to Beechwood on Saturday for this final game of the 2025/26 season.
Your support, as always, is very much appreciated. Kick-off is 3:00pm.
Round 25; Cinderford v Lymm 18th April 2026 – Last weekend, a very changed 1st team travelled to Cinderford with the hope of a win to maintain our position in National 2. Lymm were forced to make 5 changes to the squad with the unavailable Oli Higginson, Matty Hand, Ste Pilkington, Dal Ngoma and Rory Cartlidge being replaced by Cormac Nolan, Joe Heaton, Matt Hill, Tom Elphick and Alisdair Broadbent, the latter making his 1st XV debut and, alongside Jamie Cope and Ed Millachip, bringing to 3 the number of Senior Colts in the squad. Lymm were led for the first time by James Pitcher, the 4th captain Lymm have called on this season, which together with the 49 players utilised up to that point, highlights the challenges that Lymm have endured throughout the season.
Once again, Lymm got off to a poor start, and although playing well for the rest of the game, were never able to overhaul their West Country hosts. Despite this loss, and coming away without any league points, Lymm’s place at National Level 2 for next season was confirmed, courtesy of Chester, who defeated Loughborough Students in a high scoring game last Saturday. Chester thus ensured their own survival, whilst confining the students to further relegation battles.
Another excellent full match report by Andy Leach, can be read on the club website via the following link;
In other matches;
Lymm 2s had a walk over against Macclesfield 2s
Lymm Eagles pulled off a magnificent win at second placed Wilmslow 2s, 39 – 38. A report of this game can be viewed by clicking on the following link,
Wilmslow 2nds 38 – 39 Lymm Eagles
Overview of the 1st XV Player Stats for this season – This season has seen the largest number of players ever utilised in our 1st XV team to fulfil our obligations across all 26 league fixtures. This has required incredible commitment from senior players across all 3 senior teams, and from our Colts Academy. Well-done and thank you to each and every one of you, it is very much appreciated by our club.
With thanks to our master statistician, Andy Leach, the following data reflects this commitment for season 2025/26 in National 2 West, and the continued commitment by our senior players who have achieve incredible milestones in their playing careers with Lymm RFC.
Total number of different players selected for 1st XV duty during the season; 50
Total Number of debutants selected for 1st XV duty during the season; 15
Oldest player Oli Higginson – 36 at the start of the season; Youngest player Alisdair Broadbent – 17
62% of appearances made by homegrown players who have developed through our M&J teams
4 different captains appointed throughout the season to cover injury and availability – Nathan Beesley; Josh Hadland; Oli Higginson; James Pitcher
Total appearance milestones achieved this season for Lymm RFC 1st XV;
300 Oli Higginson
150 James Yates; Tom Shard
100 Rob Makin; Paddy Jennings; Ste Pilkington; Nathan Beesley; James Pitcher
50 Alfie Simpson; Jack Reynolds
Total 1st Team points scored milestones achieved this season;
750 Tom Shard
450 Nathan Beesley
350 Oli Higginson
250 Paddy Jennings
200 Rob Makin; Cal Morris
150 Ste Pilkington; Jack Reynolds
100 James Pitcher; Matty Hand
Finally, a nod to our coaching team – This team has performed an incredible job over many years, not least this year in the National 2 West league with the additional issues that significant miles travelled, and numerous overnight stays have created. Hats off to; Adam Fletcher; Andy Davies; Tom Bray; Paul Arnold and Vicky Ashworth – Thank you all for your effort and commitment for Lymm RFC.
Paul Arnold – Saturday is Paul Arnold’s last game at Lymm RFC and he will be stepping down as our Forwards Coach. Everyone at the club wishes him well and thanks him for his efforts during this season!
DOR Fletch commented: “I would like to thank Arnie for all his hard work, time and effort this season. He’s an absolute legend of the game and we’re thankful that he spent time with us at Lymm. He deserves a great send off from the game and hopefully we can play a part in that on Saturday.”
Adam ‘Fletch’ Fletcher – I have had the pleasure of watching Fletch as a player and a coach at Lymm RFC over many years and was privileged to lead the interview team when he applied for and secured the position of Head Coach 12 years ago. He was head and shoulders above the other applicants and demonstrated a clear understand of the ethos of Lymm RFC, where we wanted to progress to and how that could be delivered. The success during his tenure as Head Coach and Director of Rugby at Lymm RFC is clear to see, not least our promotion to the National 2 Leagues.
Adam, my personal thanks to you for your commitment to Lymm RFC and to the unstinting effort that you have demonstrated to help get our great club to where we are now – enjoy your retirement and I have no doubt that we will see you at the club in the future!
National League Fixtures and Results – keep up to date.
There are now a number of different ways to you can keep up to date with National League fixtures and results;
Mobile Apps;
Apple – National League Rugby App – App Store Android – National League Rugby – Apps on Google Play
Web access;
Follow the teams involved at each level and details of the games at each round, with live updates on match days, via the web using the following links;
National League Rugby – The official website of National League Rugby.
… and our 1st XV and all National Level 2 West results throughout the season via this link;
National League Two West – Fixtures & Results | 2025-26 – National League Rugby
I look forward to a large and vocal crowd at Beechwood on Saturday and have the opportunity to see some fantastic rugby. Please do come and enjoy the atmosphere and hospitality at Beechwood!
Best Regards
John Cartwright (JC), President
Contact: Sponsorship