Birkenhead Park 12
Lymm 40

Lymm earn semi-final place with comfortable win 

Lymm travelled to Birkenhead to play old rivals Park in the quarter final of the Cup. Park have had a good season finishing top of the league below Lymm. It was going to prove a good challenge to the young Lymm side. In the warm up it could be seen that Park were considerably bigger than Lymm, who although welcoming back Alex Rae at prop, were missing their second row. So, it was expected the hosts would adopt a forward orientated game.

Park kicked off and as with every subsequent kick off, Joe Dowdeswell collected the kick bravely and made ground. Lymm moved the ball side to side as they tried to move Park around the pitch. Alex Rae then made a decisive break up the middle and two phases later after a good pass by Ben Stansfield, Ali Sutherland chose a great angle to sprint in from 20 metres for a try which was converted by Josh Davies.

Lymm continued to throw the ball around and were making ground but the last pass was not always going to hand. Park persisted with their pick and drive tactics using their big forwards but they were met by determined Lymm defence and made little headway. Then from a scrum near the halfway line Will Leach ghosted through, drew the full back and released the supporting Jake Ashall who scored under the posts for another converted try.

Park came back strongly but again Lymm’s defence was good. Lymm showed enterprise, trying to move the ball at every opportunity but often the final pass or option let them down. However following a number of controlled phases, a good ball and a great angle from Jake Ashall allowed him to burst through two tackles and speed away to round the full back to score from 40 metres for another converted try.
Park came back strongly pounding the Lymm line but good scramble defence kept them out and eventually a good turnover relieved the pressure as the whistle went for half-time.

Ht 0-21

Park continued to play through their forwards and eventually the pressure told and they scored an unconverted try. The next ten minutes Park piled on the pressure but good Lymm defence kept them out. Then from a turnover, Reece Forrest scooted in from 20 metres after a good break by Richie McEvoy for another converted try. This was followed shortly afterwards by the customary Rory Riddell try. Riddell, who had supported well all day, used his pace to score under the posts for another converted try.

Park responded with a try but it was too late to make an impression and it was Lymm who finished the scoring with Richie McEvoy going over for an unconverted try. All Lymm’s conversions were by Josh Davies.

This has been Lymm 2’s best season since leagues began. At times they played some great rugby but they will realise that they could execute better, as many passes missed the man or was dropped but yet again the defence was outstanding. Both props excelled in the scrum and even found time to break the line inter-passing between themselves! However it was the back row that dominated this game with Joe Dowdeswell, Jake Ashall and Rory Riddell outstanding. Jake Ashall was a handful all afternoon with ball in hand and Joe Dowdeswell playing his best game for the 2s.

In the semi-final, Lymm play Sandbach 2’s at home on the 4th April. Next week it is back to league action in the Premiership, Conference ‘A’ League. Lymm entertain Fylde 2’s, who will be looking for revenge, after two defeats this season. KO likely to be 3pm subject to Fylde agreement.

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