Lymm 2nds 36 – 33 Preston Grasshoppers 2nds

Lymm entertained Preston at Beechwood in near perfect conditions on the AGP pitch. There was little wind and dry albeit a little chilly for the decent crowd that assembled to watch a young Lymm side take on Preston who have been a good run of form over the last few months.

Lymm kicked off and soon retained possession, going through the phases but ultimately forcing the issue and making errors. They dominated territory and possession in the first 15 minutes but it was Preston who scored first when a break on the half-way, resulted in a score near the posts 0-7. This stunned Lymm into more direct play when the bull like Finn Williams charged forward and scored an excellent try for James Anderson to convert. It was long afterwards that the excellent Ed Morris showed both pace and strength to force his way over from 15 metres for another converted try. However Preston are a dangerous side and not long afterwards they marched Lymm down the pitch and eventually scored a converted try from close range to claw themselves back into the game. Lymm not to be out done, used there excellent back row with Finn Williams making inroads into the Preston defence, who were finding it difficult to contain him, with Ed Morris on his shoulder to once again force his way over for another converted try. Then came the individual try of the game when Finn Williams picked the ball up 50 metres out, bouncing over three defenders then sprinting to the corner for an excellent try which wasn’t converted. 26-14. However Preston were still in the game as soon weak tackling allowed them to force their way over a converted try just before half time.

Lymm had dominated most of the first half but had allowed the ever dangerous PGH, too many opportunities through overplaying and missed tackles.

Half Time: Lymm 26 – 21 Preston Grasshoppers

The second half kicked off and Preston started to dominate. Their lively hooker made a number of breaks, which put them in a good position for to force themselves over for a converted try. Also from the restart, Lymm kicked the ball up field but a poor kick chase allowed Preston to bring the ball back and score an excellent unconverted try. At this stage the writing looked on the wall for Lymm as Preston were making many yards in open play and they started to dominate the set pieces. However after the storm was weathered, Lymm attacked strongly and managed to retain possession near the Preston line and eventually Richie McEvoy forced his way over for a converted try, 33-33.

With 15 minutes to go, Lymm continued to press and obtained a penalty in front of the sticks which James Anderson calmly converted from 30 metres to give Lymm the lead again, 36-33.

The last ten minutes was all PGH pressing Lymm hard with their big forwards driving for the line and being repelled by aggressive Lymm defence. This was aided by Matt Greiller taking a couple of scrums against the head and Gav Downs stealing a couple of important line outs. Finally the whistle went as Lymm closed out the game for an excellent win against a competitive and good Preston side.

Lymm should have had more points on the board in the first twenty minutes if they had showed more patience in the build-up. However it was a good team effort to eventually obtain the victory. The back row was excellent, all 3 Ed Morris Finn Williams and Ali Sutherland showing their class. Finn Williams was a handful especially in first half making good ground with every carry, Ed Morris was creative as well as doing his customary, out of the blocks defensive hits and Ali Sutherland’s experience was evident throughout. In the backs it was the more experienced players Andy Rowley and Richie McEvoy who both showed they have plenty to offer at this level. Overall a very good win.

Team: 1) I Quinn, 2) H Scott-Herron, 3) N Ashton, 4) G Down, 5) B Polec, 6) E Morris, 7) F Williams, 8) A Sutherland, 9) J Anderson, 10) A Mukherjee, 11) B Youlden-Cole, 12) T Baker, 13) R Riddell, 14) R McEvoy, 15) A Rowley. Reps: 16) S Eenhoorn, 17) E Dobbs, 18) J Reynolds, 19) M Greiller, 20) A Case