Lymm 40 – 0 Burnage

1st Team Match Report | Saturday October 2 2021

Gallery

Lymm entertained Burnage, who were promoted from North West One at the end of 2019/20 season. Lymm showed two changes from the cancelled Alnwick game, with Joe Higgins coming onto the bench and Paddy Jennings returning to replace Sam Wadsworth who has started at Newcastle University. Joe Higgins is the grandson of former club stalwarts Ken and Viv Higgins. There was one minute silence before game for the sad passing of Geoff Evans and Chris Newman Jnr.

Conditions were overcast with rain in the air as Burnage kicked off towards the village end with the elements behind them. As is customary Lymm immediately got into their stride, moving the ball around at pace , looking for openings and recycling quickly. Burnage managed to repel them with good defence as Lymm at times forced the pass. However it wasn’t long before gaps started appearing and after a break down the middle Burnage were penalised at the ruck and Cormac Nolan converted an easy penalty. 3 – 0.

Lymm continued to dominate both territory and possession, dominating the rucks and line out. Burnage were transgressing and the penalty count was rising. The try eventually came as Lymm moved the ball from a scrum creating a gap for Cormac Nolan to use his pace from 22 metres to stretch out and score an unconverted try. 8 – 0.

Although Burnage had the elements they could not use them to any great effect as Lymm were playing ‘ keep ball ‘ with their multiphase play. It was from another penalty Lymm kicked to the corner, then executed the perfect catch and drive for Harry Martin to touch down for an unconverted try. 13-0 after 20 minutes.

It was bit like London buses and un Lymm like that 5 minutes later the process was repeated and Rob Makin was the recipient of another catch and drive line out for an unconverted try. 18 – 0.

At this stage it looked as if Lymm might runaway with the game, such was there dominance of territory and possession but to their credit Burnage fought back bombarding the Lymm try line but good defence and a timely turnover repelled the danger allowing Lymm to go in with a half time lead of 18-0.

Lymm started the second half on the attack winning good ball from the line out and driving through the middle via Oli Higginson and Harry Martin. They forced a 5 metre scrum with a try beckoning but were penalised for a technical offence. The game at this stage was getting scrappy with L:ymm forcing the game and turning over ball. However a good line out, the ball driven into the centre of the field by Oli Higginson, recycled ball was moved back to the blind side creating a gap for the ever alert Gregor Watson to make a break pass on to Cormac Nolan who released Rob Makin to scoot in for his second try converted by Cormac Nolan, 25 – 0. It looked a simple try but the quality of the execution made it look easy.

Lymm continued to throw the ball about but they made some errors which Burnage pounced on and they too advance into the Lymm half. However good defence especially from replacement forward Ed Morris kept them at bay. Lymm then produced a moment of brilliance moving the ball quickly for Steve Pilkington to make a decisive break and pass to the supporting Gregor Watson who finished in style to keep his record in scoring in every home league this season. Cormac Nolan converted the try. 32 – 0.

Burnage did not give up and continued to ask questions of the Lymm defence. They have a good points scoring record this season but Lymm’s determined defence kept them at bay.

With 10 minutes left Adam Bray scored an unconverted try on his 250th 1st XV appearance, quite an achievement, from another un Lymm like catch and drive.

As the whistle was about to go, Lymm, received a penalty 30 meters out, which Cormac Nolan converted to complete the scoring. 40 – 0.

This was another entertaining performance from Lymm who made errors but continued to show commitment, energy and drive against an opposition who never surrendered. The defence was good and at the times the attack was excellent. However they know there are sterner challenges ahead starting next Saturday in the rearranged fixture at Alnwick, who have had a good start to the season and are always difficult opponents on their own ground.

Coach Andy Davies stated after the game that he was especially pleased with the performance and control of the ball in the first half against the elements. He also liked the defensive effort in the second half.

FT 40 – 0

 Squad:

Kurt Riley, Rob Makin, James Sherlock, Aaron Rasheed, James Yates, Adam Bray, Harry Martin, Oli Higginson, Gregor Watson, Tom Bray (C), Rory Riddell, Steve Pilkington, Ben Stansfield, Paddy Jennings, Cormac Nolan, Joe Higgins, Jordan Houghton, Ed Morris.

Referee: Mr Kristian Garland – RFU North Group

Reporter: Malcolm Pritchard

Thankyou

The form was submitted successfully.

You will now be redirected to our payment page.