Burnage 2nds 14 – 56 Lymm 2nds

This game was supposed to be played away at Burnage but their pitch was deemed unplayable on Friday and hasty arrangements by both clubs managed to switch the game to Lymm, whose pitches were in excellent condition even after the rain.

Lymm welcomed long time absentees Tom Shard and Matty Hands in a strong looking line up. The conditions underfoot were good with a strong end to end wind blowing for most of the match along with the rain. Lymm kicked off with    the wind behind them and immediately put Burnage under pressure winning a number of penalties from one of which, Tom Shard opened the scoring with a kick from 40 metres. Lymm went on the attack again and with Toby Phillips making ground in midfield with quick run ball, allowed James Pitcher to run a great line at pace and surge through the Burnage defence until he was tackled 20 metres further on. But like all good opensides, Harry Martin was on his shoulder to receive the pass and scorch in from 20 metres.

Lymm continued to dominate with Tom Shard using the conditions well to ensure Lymm played in the right parts of the pitch. Lymm then put a passage of play together winning four or five phases with Alex Stewart making the hard yards down the middle before a gap opened up for Harry Martin to show his pace and sprint in from 30 metres for a try converted by Tom Shard. Lymm kept the pressure on and a penalty kick to the corner resulted in a line out drive to the line with Matty Hand touching down for another converted try. The act was repeated 10 minutes later for an identical try for Matty Hands with Tom Shard converting again. It was all Lymm at this stage with the forwards setting the platform and the backs combining to keep Lymm going forward. It was after another period of sustained pressure on the Burnage line that George Anderson moved the ball to the blindside for George Reynolds to dive over in the corner for an unconverted try. At this stage it looked like it might be a cricket score but to Burnage’s credit they fought back into the game, off loading well, making Lymm concede penalties through indiscipline, and it came as no surprise as just before half time they scored a converted try.

HT 34-7

The second started the same as the end of the first half with Burnage on top and Lymm giving penalties away and not retaining possession. Then after some poor defence Burnage scored another converted try. This gave Burnage even more encouragement and they encamped in the Lymm 22 but Lymm started to get their act together and defended well keeping them out until a turnover allowed them to clear their lines. Then after a series of rucks Lymm were awarded a penalty which Tom Shard converted. This effectively ended Burnage’s resistance and Lymm returned to the first half formula of forward control and taking the right options. A quick tap penalty ended with Tom Baker scoring followed by a penalty try for a high tackle after Ali Sutherland miraculously picked a ball of the ground at pace to be felled close to the line. The last try should really have been at Old Trafford as the mercurial Tom Baker dribbled the ball in from 35 metres to finish the scoring for Tom Shard to convert.

FT 56-14

Overall this was an excellent performance especially the first 30 minutes showing the true potential of this side. The middle twenty minutes when indiscipline and missed tackles held Lymm back, and if this can be rectified then Lymm will provide tough opposition for any side. The forwards played particularly well with Harry Martin everywhere, Matty Hands the proverbial handful in the scrums and loose. Also lock Henry Baldwin put a good shift in the graft department and James Pitcher showed his good footwork. In the backs Tom Shard positional kicking was spot on, keeping Lymm on the front foot.

Next week its Rossendale 2’s away which will be tough as always up at Rawtenstall.

Squad:

J Houghton, T Phillips, R Riddell, W Leach, J Reynolds, T Shard, G Anderson, A Sutherland, H Martin, J Pitcher, H Baldwin, B Polec, M Hands, A Stewart, J Mawdsley, Reps: T Baker, D Horton

Match Report: Malcolm Pritchard