Lymm 35 – 31 Devonport Services
1st Team Match Report | Saturday September 19 2026
Lymm’s Home Form Continues
Lymm welcomed visitors from Plymouth-based Devonport to Crouchley Lane for the first time. Lymm were giving a debut to centre Peter Scott, recently arrived from rugby league and welcomed the return of second row Sam Dickinson after a lengthy hiatus through injury.
Port gave early indications of the risk their running rugby posed, and soon opened the scoring, taking advantage of sloppy Lymm work at the breakdown and then patiently running through phases until a gap opened in midfield for the number 6 to dart through and set up the scorer – 0 v 7.
Lymm responded well, taking advantage of a penalty to drive the ball 10 metres by a strong maul. Centre Jack Reynolds, who featured well all afternoon, was able to break from the back of the maul and offload to second row Harry Wasdell who was able to score under the posts. Fly half and skipper Tom Shard made the conversion – 7 v 7.
The game was now beginning to take the shape that would persist right to the end. Lots of stoppages particularly around the scrum, prevented any real flow developing for either team. When the teams did have possession they were able to show some entertaining and sophisticated rugby. After one such period of scrappy play Lymm were able to win a penalty in front of the posts again on the back of an attack by Reynolds. Shard converted 10 v 7.
Lymm’s scrum was looking powerful and won a penalty. From the ensuing attacking line out Lymm were able to maul their way just short of the line. Patience in attack was to be rewarded with a number of small pick-and-goes finally being capitalised on by prop Matty Hand who scored from the back of the ruck – 15 v 7.
After a period of time in which both sides had scruffy possession and even scruffier execution, Lymm were able to win a line out deep in visitor territory. From the line out prop Dalitso Ngoma made an elaborate break before feeding second row Nathan Ovien, who in turn passed to winger Andy Williams to score in the corner taking the Lymm lead to 22 v 7.
With the half nearing an end Rhys Lilley was yellow carded for an offence defending Lymm’s try line. Devonport took full advantage of this numerical superiority and were able to work a try for themselves after numerous mini rucks.
Halftime: Lymm 22 v 14 Devonport
The second half saw popular second row Sam Dickinson enter the fray. Devonport were by far the livelier with a number of early attacks showing the good linkage between their backs and pack. One such attack saw Lymm’s defence hold the ball up over their own line, but shortly after the Port scrum half was able to break from the back of a breakdown and roll in to score in the corner – 22 v 19.
Port would be the next scorers shortly thereafter. After a period of committed Lymm defence a breach of concentration allowed a gap in the midfield to open and Devonport took full advantage and scored unopposed under the posts – 22 v 26.
Hooker James Pitcher incurred a wrist injury and was replaced by young Logan Byrne. Lymm were finally able to maintain some possession and make inroads into the opponent’s half. A penalty 35 metres out was to be their reward and despite the wind Tom Shard was able to convert very well – 25 v 26.
Jack Reynolds in the centre was becoming increasingly influential, looking a real threat every time he had the ball and was the next deserved scorer for Lymm. A scrum 30 metres out saw the ball moved quickly across the back line until it reached Reynolds. After spinning out of a tackle and creating his own space Reynolds was able to run 30 metres and score the bonus point try, to the right of the post – 30 v 26, with the missed conversion.
Lymm’s next try was a perfectly executed set play. From a scrum 40 metres out the ball was passed crisply along on the backs with winger Williams and full back Alfie Simpson combining to put Reynolds free in the corner for his brace – 35 v 26. Conversion missed.
Although the scoreboard suggested Lymm were moving clear the action on the pitch proved otherwise with Davenport continuing to pressure Lymm, scoring next. Again a penalty and line out would be the starting point with Port executing crisply to move the ball across the face of Lymm’s defence to score on the right wing – 35 v 31, conversion missed.
With just two minutes remaining Lymm’s lead was looking precarious, even more so following the miss of a penalty kick. The Devonians were able to move to within 30 metres of Lymm’s line, and a disputed scrum gifted the visitors’ dangerous possession with time running out.
Lymm’s defence stood firm and were able to unsettle the offence and win their own penalty 22 metres from their own line. The ensuing line out was to prove the last play of the game with Lymm emerging victorious after the tightest of contests.
Final score: Lymm 35 v 31 Devonport
Post-match, Director of Rugby, Andy Davies had this to say: ‘Great to get the win and you should always celebrate whenever you do get 5 points in this very tough league.
‘But we never properly got into our attacking shape throughout the game so there is still a lot more to come out of this squad.
‘Special word for Sam Dickenson who returned today after over 3 years out with knee injuries. It was great to see him back out there with a Lymm shirt on,’ he concluded.
Team: 1. Ben Lilley (46), 2. James Pitcher * (116), 3. Matthew Hand * (140), 4. Nathan Ovien (3), 5. Harry Wasdell (4), 6. Jack Stride* (43), 7. Fin Williams* (6) 8. Rhys Lilly* (98), 9. Tom Manaton (52), 10. Tom Shard (C)* (169), 11. Joe Heaton * (23), 12. Jack Reynolds (55), 13. James Hampson (3), 14. Andy Williams* (33), 15. Alfie Simpson* (58).
Finishers: 16. Logan Byrne (2), 17. Dalitso Ngoma (19), 18. Sam Dickenson* (18), 19. Peter Scott (1), 20. Alex Muckherjee* (6).
( ) No. of Lymm First XV League appearances
*Product of Lymm M&J’s/Colts Academy
Man of the Match: Jack Reynolds
Referee: Peter Connor
Assistant Referees: Leo Burton and Emma Sly
4th Official: James Ferguson
Match Report: Dave Fernyhough