Lymm 2nds 21 – 12 Fylde 2nds

Lymm 2’s overcome a pacy Fylde team

Lymm entertained Fylde, who narrowly defeated them in September 26-24. Conditions were surprisingly good, as the monsoon which hit Lymm earlier in the day had blown over leaving a breeze across the pitch to the garden wall.

Lymm kicked off and it became apparent from early exchanges, that Fylde would run the ball from all over the pitch. This caused Lymm problems as Fylde managed to break on the outside on a couple of occasions, only to be thwarted by forward passes or desperate scramble defence. It was from a scrum against the head ( kicked through ), that the Fylde scrum half broke from the halfway line showing good speed to score a try in the corner, which was converted, 0-7.

Lymm responded but too often the ball was lost in contact or a pass was dropped. However Lymm were attacking the Fylde line when the ball was turned over and Fylde quickly moved the ball wide and their pacy backs did the rest scoring a great try from 90 metres. 0-12 down after 10 minutes not a good sign!

Lymm continued to make errors and concede penalties as they strived to get back into the game. Gradually the forwards started to take a grip with their excellent set piece both scrum and lineout. There were still errors and Fylde’s backs always looked dangerous but Lymm were getting a foothold in the oppositions half by some good tactical kicking by Tom Shard. Eventually Fylde gave a penalty away after a strong driving maul and Tom Shard converted 3-12. This spurred Lymm on and at last Lymm put together a passage of play going through the phases with Alex Stewart making deep in roads into the Fylde 22 and when the ball was recycled quickly a long pass found Toby Phillips who squeezed in at the corner for an unconverted try on the stroke of half time.

HT 8-12

At the break, Coach Millachip emphasised better discipline was needed and playing rugby in the right parts of the pitch.

The second half started and the Lymm pack took control with the backs keeping the ball tight and Tom Shard kicking for position. This lead to the game being played in Fylde’s half. However Fylde defended well and kept Lymm at bay for twenty minutes until the pressure told and Tom Shard converted two penalties to give Lymm a 14-12 lead. Fylde were not finished and almost immediately Lymm transgressed and Fylde were on the attack. The Lymm defence was ferocious keeping them at bay until a turnover allowed Lymm to clear their lines. It was after 50/22 kick by Tom Shard that Lymm sealed victory with the subsequent lineout won and after patient build up involving 6 or 7 drives at the line Kieran Williams forced his way over for a try converted try by Shard 21-12. Fylde did try to come back but good Lymm defence kept them out and an excellent victory was achieved.

This was an excellent game of rugby, a great advert for the  Premier League. Lymm were challenged by the style and pace of Fylde but found a way to win as they grew into the game utilising their fine set piece to good effect. Tom Shard controlled proceedings well from scrum half kicking for position effectively aided by a good chase by defenders. Jordan Houghton at full back had his best game of the season running the ball well out of defence. However it was the forwards who laid the platform with the unsung front five providing good possession and disrupting the opposition. The back row could then dominate in both defence and attack, with all three playing an influential part in the game. Fylde were a good side who had pace to burn but eventually were suffocated by Lymm’s forward control. Next week is another challenge, as Lymm travel to Sandbach, who are having a good season. They won comfortably at Lymm in September, so another tough challenge is expected.

Squad: J Houghton, J Reynolds, R Riddell, T Baker, A Simpson, G Anderson, T Shard, A Sutherland, H Martin, K Williams, B Polec, G Downs, K O’Callaghan, R Makin, M Hands. Reps: T Phillips, A Stewart, J Davies, A Freeman

Match Report: Malcolm Pritchard