Lymm 29
Chester 22

Lymm welcomed Chester to Beechwood for the second time this season, having beaten them in September but were comprehensively beaten on the return away game. In blustery conditions, a tight game was expected. Lymm welcomed Ed Morris for his debut, having previously played for Chester.

Playing on the AGP, Chester kicked off with the wind at their backs and soon settled into a forward orientated game. They used their big forwards to punch close at the breakdown but were met with determined Lymm defence, led by Jake Ashall and James Yates. When Lymm did obtain possession, they played at pace and looked dangerous. Good footwork by Rory Riddell saw the centre make a break which was only thwarted by a tap tackle.

Much of the play was between the 22’s but eventually Lymm managed to work themselves into the Chester 22 and after a few phases Josh Davies saw a gap and jinked through for an excellent try, which Tom Shard converted, 7-0.  Chester quickly came back putting but Lymm continued to defend well and had the edge in the scrum. Again Lymm worked themselves into the Chester 22 and a couple of good drives created the momentum for James Yates to break the gain line getting his hands free to offload for the supporting Jake Ashall to sidestep the full back and score near the posts, Shard converting, 14-0.

Lymm were looking sharp with ball in hand and continued to impress in defence. However good Chester ball retention and pressure told and their centre showed good strength and pace to score a converted try.

Ht 14-7

Lymm turned round with the wind at their backs and it was emphasised to use the elements and play the game in the Chester half. Good tactical kicking by Shard kept Chester at bay but Lymm started to make handling mistakes and couldn’t maintain their pace of the first half. However after a Chester loose pass in midfield, the ever dangerous George Norman broke the line, to round two players and score an unconverted try, 19-7.

Chester responded well, using their big forwards to drive Lymm back as they started slipping off tackles and they scored an unconverted try, 19-12.

Lymm regrouped but their attempts at driving the ball over the Chester line from line outs were repelled. Eventually the pressure resulted in Chester conceding a penalty near the posts, which Shard converted, 22-12. Chester were a well drilled side and always dangerous when they worked their way into the Lymm Red Zone. After considerable pressure they drove over for an unconverted try, 22-17.

So, all to play for with 10 minutes to go. Both sides probed well but defences held until George Norman produced the moment of the game. With Lymm on the attack, he used good footwork to break the line 40 metres out and his pace did the rest for an excellent try, which Shard converted, 29-17. The last five minutes were spent on the Lymm line with excellent defence repelling Chester but eventually in the last play Chester crashed over for an unconverted try.

Ft 29-22

“This game was an excellent advert for 2nd team rugby” commented Coach, Peter Millachip. “Both sides performed well with the result in the balance throughout.

“Lymm showed great courage in defence and excellent support play to keep the bigger Chester side at bay. In the forwards everyone put a shift in with Jake Ashall outstanding in both attack and defence, ably assisted by James Yates and James Pitcher. Also Young Sam Dickenson showed great improvement as he looks more comfortable at this level.

“In the backs Tom Shard managed the game well with George Norman showing his talent as a runner to score two excellent tries.”

There is no 2^nd team game next week. Lymm 1^st team are away at Morpeth.

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