Buxton 1XV 7 – 58 Lymm Eagles

Eagles Fly High in Peak District

Following a home walkover against Buxton after a no-show back in November, Lymm Eagles finally got to meet their Peak district opponents at their home ground in Buxton on Saturday. Strictly according to the published League Rules, the return fixture should have still been played at the Eagles home in Crouchley Lane, but the decision which came from behind the closed doors of the League Committee was to require the Eagles to travel to the away fixture. The outcome was still a convincing win for the Eagles, against a plucky and determined Buxton, who, admittedly, have been struggling all season with player numbers for a competitive team.

The Eagles were fortunate to be able to travel the 35 odd miles to Buxton with a squad of 20. The starting lineup presented at formidable set up with front row regulars of Captain Olly Brown, Dave Coon and George “Ringo” Harrison powered by Adam Halford and Ben Stroud in the engine room and a back row of regular Max Ure at No.8 and senior Colt George Reay and the experienced Simon Beards at flankers. The half backs comprised the usual Eagles mix of age and experience from Chris Kinsey and Alan Reddecliff with Toby Philips and Harry Reay in the centres and Richard Halford and Stew Norman on the wings.  Liam “Sully” Sullivan took up his usual spot at full back.

With almost ideal weather conditions and a firm but soft pitch, the Lymm forwards received the kick off and shipped the ball quickly out through several sets of hands to reach youngster Harry Reay (playing with brother George in the pack today) on the wing. Harry immediately stepped on the gas and rocketed straight down the wing with the Buxton players left grasping fresh air as they tried to reach him. He touched down near the corner for a great unconverted try to open the score at (0 -5).

Harry’s try set the scene for the next 30 minutes play. The restart was again received by the Lymm forwards who secured a good platform for returning regular scrum half, Chris Kinsey, to scamper forward and release the ball to the full back, Liam “Sully” Sullivan who was flying through the three-quarter line. Sully’s speed caught the opposition wrong footed, and he was able to hurtle unopposed for over half the pitch to score under the posts with only 3 minutes on the clock. Flyhalf Alan Reddecliff added the extra points (0 – 12).

Play settled down for the next few minutes whilst Buxton attempted to respond to the ferocity of the Lymm attack. The Eagles proven tactics of using the dominant forwards to secure the ball and rumble it steadily forward was paying dividends and after only 10 minutes play, the ball again found the speeding full back Sully who repeated his earlier solo run for another great unconverted try (0 – 17).

Another runaway try from Harry Reay on 16 minutes and a lovely solo effort from centre Toby Philips, converted by Alan Reddecliff, on 19 minutes, brought the score to (0 – 29) and it was starting to look like it was going to be a long afternoon for Buxton. With the opposition very much on the back foot, it was perhaps not surprising that the referee appeared to “ping” Lymm for every minor or possibly imagined infringements but seemed to be unsighted or unaware of any misdeeds from Buxton.

Unfortunately, over the next 10 minutes play, a couple of great scoring opportunities for Lymm went begging when veteran winger, Stew Norman, who had made a great 30 metre run in mid field, was hauled down a few metres short of the line instead of opting to pass the ball to an unmarked Sully. Similarly, Tom Coghill, making a welcome return to the Eagles, made another jinking long distance run down the touchline only to have been judged to have knocked on over the line while touching down. Fortunately, Harry Reay, who was having a great day, managed to complete his hat trick with another well supported, but unconverted try to bring the score to (0 – 34) after 35 minutes. With the scoring approaching one point per minute, the Eagles seemed to ease off the pressure a little in the last few minutes to half time.

Half |Time: Buxton 0 – 34 Lymm Eagles

Half time and some encouraging words from Captain Olly Brown and time to stretch the legs of some on the replacements who had been champing at the bit to get on the pitch.

Lymm kicked off the second half with the same sense of urgency as the first but to their great credit, Buxton were expecting the fierce assault and had rejigged their defence to good effect. Within the first few minutes, Lymm got within a few meters of scoring at least two occasions, but each time they were firmly repelled by some committed defence. Unfortunately, a few minutes later, one of the Buxton players twisted his knee badly and was unable to continue.  His replacement was a young lad who had never played a full game of rugby before and emptied the Buxton bench of substitutes.  Lymm therefore offered to provide some of their substitute players if there were further replacements required.

The Lymm forwards were becoming increasingly dominant in both loose play and the set scrums, several of which they were able to turn over. From one of these, replacement scrum half, Chris Fuller, spun the ball wide to the centres who quickly released it to replacement winger, Ash Caffrey, who rampaged down the touchline, bouncing several Buxton players in the process, for a great score in the corner on 50 minutes. Unfortunately the distance was too far for the extra points (0 – 39).

With the comfort of this margin on the scoreboard, Lymm were becoming a little too relaxed in their approach to the game and were taken almost unawares by a lightning dash straight through the middle by their strong fly half. Although he was successfully tackled a few metres out from the line, the referee awarded Buxton a penalty for a Lymm infringement. This was taken quickly whilst Lymm were retreating and not paying attention and the receiving Buxton player crashed over between the posts for a well-deserved and converted try on 52 minutes (7 – 39). Unfortunately, during this period another Buxton player had to retire due to injury and so forward Ben Polec from the Eagles, who had come to spectate but had bought his kit with him, offered to fill the vacancy.

Stung by this unnecessarily conceded try, the Eagles refocussed on what they had been doing best and after about 56 minutes centre Toby Philips, cleverly danced his way around a couple of Buxton forwards and headed straight for the posts. With defenders closing in from his left, Toby took the safer and generous option of passing to his right into the hands of veteran prop, Dave Coon, who had been shadowing his run. Dave’s try and George Reay’s kick brought the score to (7 – 46).

Lymm received the ball from the restart and the ball reached the hands of replacement prop and all round power player, Sohail Kakaie. He set off on one of his trademark storming runs, right through the middle of the opposition. Before their defence could bring him to the ground, he decided to chip the ball over their heads and power through to chase it. As he burst through the line, the ball bounced up straight into his hands and his momentum carried him the last few metres to score under the posts. George Reay’s kick again made the conversion (7 – 53). With the Buxton forwards clearly struggling with the pace of the game, Sohail, sportingly offered to don a Buxton shirt and give their forwards a boost.

The pace of the game had now slowed considerably with an increasing number of stoppages for knocks and bangs to the tiring Buxton players. As the final whistle approached there was just enough time for full back Sully to complete his hat trick with another runaway try after good work at the back of a lineout by Jez Ure, outshining his son Max in the process.  The final conversion was unsuccessful.

Full Time: Buxton 7 – 58 Lymm Eagles

An interesting game, played against a very sporting and friendly Buxton side. A good win for the Eagles and a big thanks to everyone who made themselves available for the furthest away game that the Eagles have to play. Another big thank you to Buxton for providing an enjoyable game and managing to raise a competitive side in difficult circumstances. Thanks also for your hospitality and the beers in the bar afterwards. Apologies for demolishing most of the spare chocolate birthday cake. I am sure that the 60 year old originally intended as the recipient will have been happy with the residual crumbs.

This win puts the Eagles into second place in the League with one game left to play. Despite having won more matches and scored more points than any other team, such are the vagaries of the League Rules and the inconsistent way they appear to be applied, it is far less likely that we will be able to achieve the top place this year. Not a particularly satisfactory outcome in this scribe’s humble opinion.

Next game in two weeks’ time in the final game at home to Winnington Park 2XV. Kick off (TBC) at Crouchley Lane. All very welcome.

Tries: Harry Reay (1, 16, 34), Sully Sullivan (3, 10, 80), Toby Philips (19), Dave Coon (56), Ash Caffrey (50)  Sohail Kakaie  (70)
Conversuion: Alan Reddecliff (3, 19), George Reay (56, 7)

Team: 1) George Harrison 2) Olly Brown (C) 3) David Coon 4) Adam Halford 5) Ben Stroud 6) Simon Beards 7) George Reay 8) Max Ure 9) Chris Kinsey 10) Alan Reddecliff 11) Richard Halford 12) Toby Phillips 13) Harry Reay 14) Stu Norman 15) Liam Sullivan

Bench: 16) Chris Fuller 17) Jez Ure 18) Ash Caffrey 19) Josh McKean 20) Tom Coghill 21) Sohail Kahaie

Match Report: Pete & David Coon