If Lymm are to stay in the North Premier League next season, this was a ‘must-win’ game against bottom of the league and already relegated local rivals Wilmslow.
Lymm end losing run to beat local rivals
On a dull, chilly but windless afternoon at Beechwood, Lymm started brightly enough after centre James Kimber broke through and fed Captain and hooker Adam Bray to score near the posts, 7-0 after 2 minutes as Scrum half Tom Shard converted, taking over the kicking duties from the injured Cormac Nolan.
Adam Bray crosses for Lymm’s first try
Practice through the week on line-outs paid dividends all afternoon as Lymm clearly got their act together in this department and, sure enough, there was, at last, some continuity in their attacking game, as they won one after the other. Two attacks in particular from line-outs looked very promising but both times the ball was knocked on deep in the Wilmslow half. One attacking line-out however, launched back row James Pitcher who was desperately tackled into the corner, when perhaps a pass to his support may have guaranteed the score. Lively as ever, Pitcher was then held up over the line, so an attacking scrum gave Lymm a second opportunity. Wilmslow, with a big front row, managed to disrupt the ball at the back of the scrum, negating the attack.
Joe Watson and Matty Connolly
The seasoned spectators were wondering why Jordan Widdrington had not started at prop following his steadying influence on the scrum the previous week. These missed opportunities were to be rued as the game wore on and Lymm were to be no more dominant than during this first 20 minutes. Wilmslow, having weathered the storm had an attacking line-out of their own and went over in the corner, 7-5 after 24 minutes. Lymm came back and following another attacking line-out from 20m threatened the line. A high tackle allowed Shard to kick a penalty near the sticks making it 10-5 after 29 minutes. Another penalty from The Shard just before half time extended Lymm’s lead to 13-5, giving a level of comfort to the nervous spectators.
The second half saw the return of Tom Bray, back from a long injury lay-off, replacing Scott Redfern at fly half. Widdrington also replaced Matty Hand at prop. A solid scrum helped the backs launch full back Rick Halford on one of his leggy breaks but, just when he was looking at his most dangerous, a twisted ankle meant he had to be replaced by Redfern at full back. Lymm were threatening and an attacking line-out 5m from the line, well taken by Second row Aaron Rashid, created a gap the shape and size of Tom Shard to squeeze through and extend the lead, following his conversion, 20-5 after 52 minutes. But Wilmslow, to their credit, never gave up and tackled well. As Lymm tried to extend their lead, seeking the four-try bonus point, the visitors made an interception in the backs allowing their centre to sprint away and score under the posts to make it 20-12 after 65 minutes.
With their tails up the visitors started putting the pressure on Lymm with wave after wave of attack, only to be repelled time and again by a resolute defence. Equally, when Lymm returned the favour Wilmslow were equally determined to keep them out. This resulted in the last 15 minutes being played between the 22’s and a stalemate resulted. For a team with such an attacking reputation this must have frustrated Lymm significantly. One attack, which released Ali Sutherland down the right wing, nearly gave the score they were looking for, only for Sutherland to be replaced with a shoulder injury. The full time score remained at 20-12, much to the relief, but also frustration, of the home support.
James Pitcher on the attack
No8 Joe Watson was awarded the man of the match award with fellow back row, young James Pitcher, again having an excellent game in defence and attack. Loose head prop, Gavin Woods, as always, was ever present and in the thick of the action. With Vale of Lune beating Ilkley, a four point win leaves fourth from bottom Lymm only five points clear of the relegation zone. Next week we are away to second from bottom Kendal. This is also a critical game to win as the relegation dogfight continues along with Lymm’s long list of injury woes.
Coach Fletcher commented: “A strange performance but we got the win that we so much needed.
“Wilmslow played well with a nothing to lose attitude and we looked like a team that was nervous and desperate to win. A big positive was the lineout and the appearance from the bench of Tom Bray. We still have to improve on our basic skills and kicking game. We are giving too much ball away.
“We just hope that Richard Halford and Ali Sutherland’s injuries are not too serious”.
Teamsheet
1) Gav Woods, 2) Adam Bray (C), 3) Matty Hand, 4) Matty Connolly, 5) Aaron Rashid, 6) Jake Ashall, 7) James Pitcher, 8) Joe Watson, 9) Tom Shard, 10) Scott Redfern, 11) Ali Sutherland, 12) James Kimber, 13) Ben Stansfield, 14) Luke Richards, 15) Richard Halford, 16) Jordan Widdrington, 17) Rob Makin, 18) Tom Bray.
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