Chester 34 – 19 Lymm

Lymm warming up for new season

This match was deemed a warm-up for the coming season with near neighbours Chester, who have been playing at Level 4 for a number of years.

It would therefore serve as a good yardstick for the coaching team, to assess the standard Lymm’s first team will be facing at Level 4, when the season commences for real on Saturday 3 September when Wharfedale visit Beechwood. It also facilitated the trial of a number of positional combinations and a look at some new recruits to the squad.

On a warm, sunny, but blustery day the early exchanges were dominated by Chester who showed slick handling and particularly good counter rucking technique on their Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) – 5 – 0.

With a significant wing behind them Chester took the lead in the first quarter with a well worked try. However, Lymm, who came more into the game as the quarter played out, created a great try-scoring opportunity for left winger Paddy Jennings to score wideout.

Full back Cormac Nolan who, clearly, has been practising his goal kicking through the summer, expertly converted from the far touchline into the teeth of the wind, 5 – 7, and the lead.

Another converted try under the posts by Chester brought the quarter to a close – 12 – 7.

However, the second quarter saw centre and former colt Andy Williams cross the whitewash for another well worked try as Lymm were clearly holding their own during this period. – 12 – 12.

Particularly prominent was Cal Morris at scrum half who continuously pinned Chester back in their own half, with his raking kicks, despite the wind in his face.

The third quarter saw Chester begin to dominate, taking the lead once again through slick hands – 17 – 12. The final quarter saw Chester get on the front foot with a further three tries but right wing Jacob Mungai scored a consolation try, converted by Nolan, giving a final score line of 34 – 19.

Director of Rugby Adam Fletcher commented, ‘That was a good run-out for the lads and it gave us lots of food for thought. Much to work on but we’ll be ready for the new season when it starts in a couple of weeks.’

Team: 1.Joe Higgins, 2.James Pitcher, 3.Jordan Widdrington, 4.Ali Sutherland, 5.Levy Nzoungou, 6.Sean Callender, 7.Josh Hadland,    8.Rhys Lilly, 9.Cal Morris, 10.James Kimber, 11.Paddy Jennings, 12.Ste Pilkington, 13.Andy Williams, 14.Nathan Beesley, 15.Cormac Nolan

Reserves: Sohail Kakie, Pan Stylianou, Nick Ashton, Danny Senior, Rory Cartlidge, Ryan Vandan, Quinn Peers , Ben Simpson , Ben Youlden-Cole, Jorge Reynolds, Andy Rowley , Jacob Mungai