Burnage 2nds 7 – 74 Lymm 2nds

Youthful Lymm Dangerous in attack

The Lymm senior squad had prepared well for the popular ‘double header’ fixture against Burnage but waterlogged pitches reversed the 2nd XV to a home fixture on the AGP. The AGP was also hosting Altrincham Kersal 1st XV, whose pitches had also experienced the same plight. This meant a truncated warm up for the Lymm side but this did not compromise their performance as a fast start ensued.

Ben Simpson replaced the injured Josh Bate at fly half and dictated a high tempo attacking strategy for the home team. In the form of Simpson and scrum half James Anderson, Lymm would look to capitalise on Burnage ill-discipline and numerous quick tap penalties to prevent Burnage from settling into the game.

Early attacking pressure saw Lymm move the ball well through the backline. A theme for the Lymm attack was regularly making in-roads in the form of Rory Riddell and also Sohail Kakaie, coupled with motivated support running from Joe Dowdeswell and Quinn Peers. Quinn Peers was rewarded for his tireless work rate with a try under the sticks. Burnage were in the game in the close quarters with some determined forward carries. Will Higgins, colt debutant Adam Case and Fin Williams were regularly in position to effect strong tackles. Burnage threatened after receiving clean set piece ball but the Lymm midfield was able to nullify.

After repelling some Burnage attacking periods the young Lymm side’s confidence grew. On the attack again, Lymm forwards and Backs combined well with offloading out of tackles to score a number of tries. Good finishes from were seen from Jorge Reynolds, Andy Rowley, James and George Anderson, Ryan Brown, amongst others. At half time the result was already decided with a scoreline of 48-0 but the message from Coach Millachip was to now focus on executing attacking structure ahead of sterner tests to come. A number of changes were made but there was no relenting in the Lymm attacking control.

Burnage did gain a foothold in the game part way through the second half. Solid defence from Ben Sherlock, Stuart Hunter and Kieran O’Callaghan ensured the line was not breached. Back in attack, Lymm replacement scrum half colt debutant Oscar Bode Hey distributed ball well and Fin Williams and Ben Polec benefited with tries. Burnage refused to give in despite the scoreline and a tough afternoon on the defensive front, they were rewarded with a try of their own with the last play of the game. A series of pick and go’s resulted in forcing their way over the line for a try and conversion to follow.

The final score read 74-7 and both sides should be commended for moving the ball well in blustery conditions. The defensive performance was much improved on the second half collapse last week versus Blackburn but the young Lymm side face a further difficult assignment, away to Sedgley Park 2s next week, KO 2.00pm.

Squad: 1. Quinn Peers*, 2. Will Higgins, 3. Sohail Kakaie*, 4. Adam Case*, 5. Ben Polec*, 6. Fin Williams*, 7. Joe Dowdswell*, 8. James Yates*, 9. James Anderson*, 10. Ben Simpson*, 11. Jorge Reynolds*, 12. Rory Riddell*, 13. Stuart Hunter, 14. Ryan Brown, 15. George Anderson*, 16. Kieran O’Callaghan*, 17. Oscar Bode Hey*, 18. Ben Sherlock*, 19. Andy Rowley*.

*Product of Lymm M&Js/Colts Academy

Match Report: James Yates