Lymm 23
Rossendale 23

Lymm 2’s had their first home game for some time in nearly perfect conditions underfoot but there was a strong wind blowing towards the clubhouse. Rossendale had won their section of the league before the leagues split.

Rossendale kicked off playing into the elements and Lymm immediately knocked on from which Rossendale pounded away using pick and drive tactics which eventually led to a try. Lymm then started to get into some sort of rhythm but were thwarted by good Rossendale defence and spilling the ball in contact. Lymm eventually got into the red zone and a driving line out ended with a penalty which Josh Davies converted.

Lymm came back again and after retaining ball for a number of phases, Dave Williamson to dummied over for a try. Lymm went on the attack again and from a 5 metre scrum Josh Davies used his considerable size to crash over.

However Rossendale repeated their first try play and after a succession of drives crashed over for an unconverted try. Then almost immediately weak tackling allowed the Rossendale centre to score from the half way line for a converted try. Lymm were struggling to put the phases together but their doggedness created enough pressure for Josh Davies to kick a penalties to keep Lymm in the contest at half time.

HT 16-17

At the break, Coach Peter Millachip emphasised the need to retain possession and move the large Rossendale pack around the park.

Lymm kicked off the second half against the elements. However Rossendale dominated proceedings for the next 15 minutes and converted two penalties to lead 23-16 with 25 minutes to go. Lymm then started to retain possession and put Rossendale under pressure. They pounded away for 10 minutes in the Rossendale line but good defence and poor decision making meant Lymm couldn’t break the line. Time was running out for Lymm with most of the play now in the Rossendale 22. Lymm continued to drive away towards the line using Josh Davies James Lewis and Sam Dickinson as battering rams. It looked like time was running out when Josh Davies repeated his first half effort crashing over from close range which Rory Power showed great composure to convert to draw the game.

Lymm eventually found a way to draw a game in which they never really hit their peak form. Rossendale were competitive and defended very well. In the forwards the front row competed well and Sam Dickenson ran well. In the backs Josh Davies ran hard and the evergreen Dave Williamson showed touches of class.

Squad:

J Hamer, J Reynolds, D Williamson, J Davies, R Forrest, R Power, J Waddsworth, S Dickenson, J Long, K Soni, W Baldwin, H Baldwin, N Ashton, J Lewis, D Coon. Reps; O Chesworth, V Maharaj