Lymm 22
Rossendale 12

Two teams forced into squad changes faced each other at Beechwood……eventually

This match was preceded by an excellent luncheon for 50+ club sponsors and our Rossendale guests. We were particularly pleased to have former English International Rugby Referee (1983-1992), Fred Howard with us. Fred is still very much involved with the game and is now a coaching advisor and mentor for the RFU National Leagues Panel of referees.

Two teams forced into squad changes faced each other at Beechwood……eventually.

Warm up completed the visitors disappeared back to the “sheds”, where one assumes the referee was also ensconced. Coach Adam Fletcher grumbled, fretted and paced agitatedly, but still no opponents or official coming over the hill. Time passed and they all appeared, the referee apparently having been delayed, schmoozing with the sponsors’ lunch crowd.

Rossendale have a lengthy list of absentees through injury, and in recent weeks Lymm have added Jake Ashall and centres James Kimber and Tom Bray to their own casualty list. First team debuts were handed to summer recruit Nathan Beesley on the right wing, and returning former colt, Steve Pilkington, from the all-conquering class of 2013, in the centre. Dan Horton made a welcome return as hooker, following a couple of seasons on the touchline with injury problems and James Yates came onto the squad with Jake Ashall being ruled unfit.

When the game eventually started Lymm looked bright. Enthusiastic play won them a penalty after only 4 minutes which Cormac Nolan easily turned into 3 points, 3 – 0.

Beesley then gave the home crowd an early indication of the speed and agility he brings to the back line with a fine break on the right wing, which saw Lymm held up over the try line. Lymm’s scrum looked strong and the early exchanges saw Rossendale trapped deep into their own territory. Matty Connolly’s tackling forced the visitors backwards, and Beesley was again on the attack, his kick and chase unsuccessful but Lymm gaining another kickable penalty. Nolan again was accurate taking the lead to, 6 – 0.

From the restart, Pilkington was able to show what he can bring to the team. His direct and abrasive running gave Lymm good field position, which the irrepressible Joe Watson built on to take Lymm deep into opposition turf. An impingement at the ruck though handed possession back to the Lancastrians. Against the run of play, Rossendale made full use of this possession. A break through the middle was missed by Lymm’s tacklers, and good offloading and support play saw experienced prop Nick Flynn score a fine try for the visitors. The conversion by Lewis Allen was good, 6 – 7.

Lymm responded immediately and Joe Senior and Cormac Nolan linked to come very close. A high tackle in the build-up gave Lymm a 5 metre line out and a very tidy rolling maul allowed Gavin Wood to drive over for a try, which Nolan once more converted from the touchline, 13 – 7. Another score followed when Dan Horton blocked a clearing kick and Pilkington and Redfern pounced on the opportunity. A penalty in front of the sticks was their reward and Nolan kicked his third penalty, to take the score to 16 – 7.

Rossendale again attacked through the middle and created space out on their right wing. Joe Senior was on hand to smash his opponent and force a knock on, a combination of pace and grit. Rossendale had a similar attack before half time which Adam Bray snuffed out with strong individual defence.

HT 16 – 7.

Half time discussions among the bewildered, baffled, dishevelled and obtuse focused on how hard it was to tell the back line apart. All sharing the same haircut, stature, running style, hair colour and cheekbones, makes it difficult for the older chap to distinguish quite who is who. Some harked back to the days of ginger haired Rowley, the sandy coiffed Joe Knowles and the Adonis that was Graveyard….

Lymm started the second half in lively fashion. Senior, or maybe it was Beesley, attacked off Redfern’s pass and won Lymm a line out about 20m into Rosendale’s half. Aaron Rasheed did well to collect the throw and centre Ben Stansfield set up Lymm’s offence. Another penalty for a high tackle was dispatched by Nolan, 19 – 7.

With Scott Redfern leading Lymm’s kick chase, Rossendale were never able to settle into any kind of attacking pattern and Lymm retained field position where they wanted to be. An over thrown Dale line out was seized on by Horton who nearly added to the score but the attempt was knocked on.

Lymm won yet another penalty 40 metres out on the right hand side. Nolan for once was off target, but Lymm clearly had the upper hand still. Rossendale however still posed a threat and given any territory were able to give Lymm problems. A penalty near half way allowed them to advance into Lymm’s half at last. They mounted a strong attack but Rasheed was able to steal the ball a yard from the line and kick clear. With Beesley/ Senior on hand to chase the ball, the full back succumbed to pressure and Lymm again had a penalty. Nolan converted of course, 22 – 7.

The home side then seemed to take their eye off the ball. Redfern was shown the yellow card for repeated not 10 infringements and the scrum began to wobble. A line out close to Lymm’s line was well executed and Flynn again smashed through a gap to score his second try. The conversion was missed, 22 – 12. Dale were enervated by this score and seemed to attack with more belief but although their offence and set plays were faltering, the Lymm defence remained resolute, with James Yates and Josh Hadland to the fore.

A final play of the game saw Rossendale chase a losing bonus point. From a penalty line out the Dale centre found space on his right. With the try line nearing, as well as the Lymm defence he lost control and the referee blew his whistle.

FINAL SCORE    Lymm 22 – Rossendale 12.

The post-match chat among the “argentum album” surrounds of the club house still focused on how all young Lymm lads look so much alike. Coach Fletcher mused “Not surprised, I knew the milkman you know….”

With many contenders for man of the match, the Dale award went to second rower Drew Frey, and Lymm’s to returnee Steve Pilkington, or that might be a case of mistaken identity.

The scoreline suggests Lymm scored more than the single try and indeed they left two or three more chances on the park. The open style of play from the pack and the backs made it feel like more than a single try performance.

Next Saturday, Lymm are at home again against Sandal and DoR and Head Coach, Adam Fletcher, will be pleased with this result after a mixed start to the season in this tough league. He commented:

‘Really pleased with our 1st half performance. We played the conditions well and played good territory rugby. Our enthusiasm in defence, especially kick chase put Rossendale under pressure. We were able to turn pressure into points.

‘The last 20 minutes we lost our way a little and gave a few pens away this allowed Dale back into the game.

‘Really happy with the form of Joe Senior and glad we finally got our summer recruits on the pitch. Both Nathan and Ste looked perfectly at home.’