Lymm 27 – 24 Chester

Local Derby becomes a thriller

On a brisk, windy but sunny afternoon, the Lymm contingent welcomed long-standing friends and competitors from Chester RUFC for their first ever fixture in the National League 2 West.

Firmly established in the north west of England as great community-centred clubs, and with a few years at this level, both first teams have been moved laterally into the West league that contains sides from Devon and Cornwall. In fact, Chester played in this league two seasons ago and hoped they would avoid the cut once more, but the RFU had other thoughts.

Having played each other twice last season, with Lymm convincingly winning, scoring over 50 points each time, the significant and expectant crowd, royally entertained by a new PA system, were looking forward to an open and exciting game of rugby from this local derby.

And so it proved in what was truly a game of two halves. Lymm, with the wind at their backs, having absorbed the visitors’ early cut and thrusts, eventually used the wind to move into Chester’s 22. A resultant penalty for off-side in front of the posts allowed fly half Tom Shard, returning to the side from his Caribbean adventure, to open the scoring and put the home side in front, 3-0 after 12 minutes.

Lymm began to put their moves together and cleverly used the wind to work up-field. Shard put a deft chip in behind the defensive line for centre Steve Pilkington to fall on the ball over the line, only for the ref to disallow the try for his perceived knock-on.

However, an attacking line-out facilitated an expertly executed rolling maul and hooker Rob Makin scored, converted by Shard. 10 – 0 after 19 minutes.

The re-starts, especially in the consistent wind, became a point of weakness for Lymm and Chester took advantage. However, stern defence by the home side snuffed out the attacking plays from Chester and the relieving penalty presented another attacking line-out in Chester’s 22. Rob Makin duly did the business from the back of the rolling maul for his brace, with Shard converting well and Lymm were looking comfortable at 17 – 0 after 24 minutes.

Pilkington, soon after, went close to scoring again with a pass from Shard but it was deemed forward. Discussion on the side-lines centred on how many points were to be required in this wind and 17 was considered the minimum amount. What a prediction that was to be!

Chester’s Number 8 Kyle Joseph was yellow carded for holding on and Lymm took control, setting up camp in Chester’s 22. What followed was the result of expert planning and high speed. Play came to the right and Lymm were looking dangerous with the ball-in-hand. Suddenly the play was switched rapidly to the left, as full-back and captain Nathan Beesley arced around the defence and sprinted wide, beating the cover to score in the corner.

Shard, who was clearly in good kicking form, expertly converted from wide-out to take the score to 24 – 0 with 3 minutes of the half to play. But Chester were not taking this lying down and an opportunity, due to sloppy play by Lymm, allowed Chester’s left wing Sam Earl-Jones, to break through, evading a couple of tackles, and score wideout as the half came to an end. The conversion was missed taking the score to 24 – 5 at half time.

Half Time: Lymm 24 – 5 Chester

This seemed small encouragement for Chester but, as the second half got under way, and with the wind at their backs, it was all they needed.

A sustained and determined attack down the left side once again, led to an excellent score from wing Earl-Jones. The conversion was missed taking the score to 24 – 10 after 43 minutes, but game on.

Then came the try of the game. Encouraged and looking confident with ball-in-hand, Chester had nothing to lose and full-back Morgan Bagshaw, having fielded a kick well, proceeded to jink through several tackles, at high speed and score under the sticks from 50m out. The easy conversion took the score to 24 – 17 after 48 mins and the home crowd were stunned.

Lymm needed to settle and had an attacking line-out in Chester’s 22. The rolling maul did not come off but the ball was moved to Shard who expertly dropped a goal from 20m out. 27 – 17 after 55 minutes.

As players tired there were niggles and scuffles and temperatures were rising. Lymm’s kicking game was not having much impact at this point and Chester, with confidence rising, were looking the stronger team.

A yellow card for Lymm’s right wing Jack Stride, for one of these disagreements, gave Chester the advantage they were looking for. As the clock ticked by to full time Chester had an attacking line-out in Lymm’s 22. The right winger Louis Beer eventually scored just before the whistle went, giving a final score of 27 – 24, as the conversion went over from wide out on the right.

Chester’s renewed spirit and effort in the second half will offer great encouragement for their remaining season but Lymm will be happy with two wins from two in this new league.

Director of rugby Adam Fletcher commented:

‘We were outstanding in the first half, controlling both territory and tempo. The only frustration was allowing Chester back into the game right on the stroke of half time.

‘The second half mirrored last week — we never quite found our rhythm and let Chester build pressure through basic errors and poor discipline. They fully deserved their bonus points.

‘Our attack still isn’t clicking as we’d like, but across the first two weeks we couldn’t be prouder of the heart, resilience, and fight the lads have shown.

‘Also a big shout out for the 2’s for their win at Chester. Bragging rights are certainly ours at the moment,’ he concluded.

Lymm Rugby Club would like to say thank you to the officials, referee George Ounsley and his assistants Leo Burton and Fred Spong.

Lymm travel to Redruth in Cornwall next Saturday 20 September, for what has to be the longest away fixture ever embarked upon, and are next at home to Loughborough Students on Saturday 27 September.

Club member Paul Foulkes, at 75 years old, is cycling the entire distance from Lymm to Redruth, 360 miles over 5 days, to raise funds for Lymm Rugby Club for these long away trips. If you would like to donate please visit:

Pedalling 360 Miles for Lymm Rugby Club | Lymm RFC

Team: 1. Ben Lilley (21), 2. Rob Makin* (90), 3. Joe Higgins* (29), 4. Sam Wicks (1), 5 James Yates* (138), 6. Rhys Lilly* (77), 7. Josh Hadland* (60), 8 Oli Higginson* (282), 9. Cal Morris (66), 10. Tom Shard* (149), 11. Paddy Jennings * (79), 12 Sam Wadsworth* (41), 13. Ste Pilkington* (83), 14. Jack Stride* (28), 15. Nathan Beesley * (91).
Reserves: 16. Dan Hunter (16), 17. Dal Ngamo (2), 18. Sam Beahan (2), 19. Isaac Millachip* (16), 20. Tom Manaton (25).

Match Report: Simon Plumb

Man of the Match Ben Lilley