Lymm 31
Blackburn 17

The advantage of the AGP was demonstrated, as the grass pitches were unplayable at Beechwood. However thanks to the cooperation of Blackburn, the referee and the Lymm administration, the game was switched to the AGP with an earlier kick off prior to the 1^st XV game.

Blackburn over the last few years have been one of the strongest 2s side in the area and were on a good run of form. They would have wanted to avenge the last play defeat at home in the first match of the season. Lymm welcomed back Ali Sutherland who had been out injured since October.

Lymm kicked off with the wind behind them and immediately regained possession probing the strong Blackburn defence, recycling the ball well with Jake Ashall prominent in driving it forward. It was from a good break by Matt Connelly which resulted in a try for Will Leach who reached out to dot down which Josh Davies converted, 7-0. Lymm were dominating play, moving the ball around and other scores seem inevitable but the Blackburn defence managed to keep them in the game. As the half went on Blackburn started to make in roads through their strong forwards and Lymm started to give penalties away, which put them under pressure. Eventually this pressure told and Blackburn drew level with a converted try from a forward drive. Lymm needed to get themselves back into the game by moving the ball around and retaining possession. It was with the last play of the half that the returning Ali Sutherland floated a long pass to winger Josh Hamer on the halfway, who rounded his opposite number and touched down in for an unconverted try in the corner.

HT 12-7

At half time Lymm discussed keeping the penalty count down and moving the ball around which had paid dividends in the first half.

Lymm started well and after good play down the right wing, Josh Davies managed to squeeze over for an unconverted try, 17-7. However the second half followed the pattern of the first with Lymm’s indiscipline allowing Blackburn to get back into the game. Blackburn used their forwards to gain ground but Lymm’s defence held firm, led by Dan Horton and James Pitcher. However the defence was breached as the pressure told and Blackburn scored a converted try and almost immediately kicked a penalty to equalise the score with 10 minutes to go, 17-17. At this stage it could have gone either way but at last Lymm started to move the ball around and Richie McEvoy started to have an influence on the game as he made breaks from his position at full back. One such break resulted in being stopped five metres short of the line but he managed to get the ball away to the supporting Jorge Reynolds who scored in the corner for Josh Davies to kick a magnificent touchline conversion, 24-17.

The hosts now lifted their game and continued to move the ball around as Blackburn tired. Not long afterwards, as the game opened up, Blackburn dropped a pass in midfield and two passes later the fleet footed Rory Riddell scored from 40 metres for Josh Davies to convert, 31-17.

This was a very competitive game which could have gone either way. At times Lymm played some excellent rugby which resulted in some excellent tries. However their indiscipline kept Blackburn in the game but once again the Lymm defence was sold, with everyone stepping up to the mark. Dan Horton and Jake Ashall led the charge in the forwards with Tom Baker marshalling his backs well and Richie McEvoy adding the X factor. Blackburn were a good well drilled side who deserve to be in the top 5. Lymm should be pleased with their second position which is a testament to their tenacity and commitment. The second half of the season will be tough but this young side should hopefully carry on the good work from the first half of the season.

The next match is the League Cup game on the 1st February at Birkenhead Park

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