Lymm 35
Treorchy 5

In this the 2^nd of three pre-season friendlies, Lymm welcomed Rhondda Valley club Treorchy to Beechwood. The little rain that we had during the previous week, was just sufficient to enable the main Lymm pitch to be judged playable and prepared by the Lymm grounds’ team.

Treorchy play at Level 3 in the Welsh RFU league structure and the ‘great minds’ of Lymm equated that to Level 5 or 6 in England. They were Division 1 East Central runners-up in 2017/18 season and Mid-District Cup winners and ambitious to gain promotion this coming season. They arrived with a playing squad of 18 plus a few walking wounded, including 1^st XV Captain and fly-half, Jordan Lloyd on crutches. Jordan has been the club’s top points’ scorer for the past five seasons and this will be his 3^rd season as Captain.

Although missing a number of regular players, unavailable to tour, they are a well coached and competitive side under the keen management of Head Coach, Andrew Bishop and forward coach Craig Everett. And so it proved, as they contributed to a fast and entertaining match.

The game was played over 3x 25minute sessions. In the first session they kept Lymm pinned in their own half for the majority of the time. They moved the ball wide at speed and recycled well, which gave the Lymm defence structures a serious examination. However, Lymm held their line and on two rare visits to the visitors half scored two tries. A well controlled maul, following a Lymm 5m lineout saw Aaron Rasheed touch down with Tom Shard converting, (7-0). Shortly afterwards, Skipper Adam Bray scored, following a 20 metre break by Scott Redfern, Shard again adding the extras, (14-0).

Matty Connelly and Giles Dugdale scored further tries in the second period, with Shard again on target, (28-0). In the final session, Treorchy were rewarded with an unconverted try before ‘Chas’ Chilvers, with some impressive speed and footwork went in under the posts leaving Shard an easy conversion,

Full Time 35 – 5

We must compliment the Treorchy boys for their behaviour and good manners whilst our guests. They even tidied up the clubroom area where they had been sitting before leaving. Thank you lads and have a great season.

Head Coach Fletcher commented: “A good test against a side that moved the ball fast and wide. It was a good dress rehearsal for the Billingham fixture in a couple of weeks.

“Pleasing to see us use the attacking Maul to good effect and also a really positive defensive performance from all the squad.

“Nice to see new players, Cashel Chilvers, (hooker from Sedgley Park RFC) and Jake Maher, (centre from Blackburn RUFC) play after impressing through the summer, both made good impacts. Also welcome back to Giles Dugdale and Rob Makin who both look in great form. Finally, good to give a couple of last season’s Snr Colts a 1st outing – Prop Jack Porteous and back row, Rhys Lilly who didn’t look out of place.”

Next Saturday we have a sterner test at home for our final pre-season friendly, when our 1^st & 2^nd XV’s take on their Huddersfield RUFC equivalents, KO 3pm

Teamsheet:

1. Gav Woods, 2. Rob Makin, 3. Matty Hand, 4. Aaron Rasheed, 5. Zak Lythgoe, 6. Sam Mullarkey, 7. Adam Bray (C), 8. Oli Higginson, 9. Andy Davies, 10. Scott Redfern, 11. Luke Richards, 12. Jake Maher, 13. Tom Bray, 14. Giles Dugdale, 15. Tom Shard, 16. Jordan Widdrington, 17. Jack Porteous, 18, Rhys Lilly, 19. Henry Baldwin, 20. Will Baldwin, 21. Matty Connelly,  22. Cashel Chilvers, 23. Toby Philips