Lymm 48 – 40 Exeter University

Lymm win tough battle

On a glorious, autumnal afternoon at Beechwood, as the sun shone and a slight breeze blew towards the clubhouse, a young Exeter University team, who travelled up on the day, kicked off to Lymm in what was anticipated to be a high scoring game.

Both teams have a reputation for ‘running it’ and so it proved, although the balance of tries was not correctly predicted by a fervent Lymm crowd.

Exeter showed spirit from the off by winning Lymm’s first line-out but soon the home side were going through their patterns with Cal Morris at scrum half making one of his usual breaks, after selling an outrageous dummy, and sprinted down the middle of the pitch from inside his own half, leading to a try by No 8 Ollie Higginson, wide out on the right.

Centre, Jack Reynolds expertly converted it taking the score to 7 – 0 after 7 mins. The response from the visitors was immediate, as a series of forward drives resulted in a try of their own near the sticks. 7 – 7 after 10 mins.

An attacking line out for Lymm shortly afterwards, following a kick to the corner, gave flanker Josh Hadland the opportunity to score from the back of the rolling maul which Reynolds had no problem converting. 14 – 7 after 13 mins.

Lymm’s confidence and coherence was beginning to show but the good movement was interrupted by handling mistakes and soft penalties.

However, Morris released skipper Nathan Beesley on the right wing. He made a searing break, passed inside to Reynolds who fed fly half Alfie Simpson to score a well-constructed try in the corner on 23 mins. 19 – 7 with the missed conversion.

A yellow card for Exeter’s prop for a dangerous tackle gave Lymm the numerical advantage as Lymm pursued the next score but the ref reversed an initial penalty to Lymm and the visitors breathed a sigh of relief.

Lymm then went for a scrum outside the 22, following another penalty in the middle of the pitch, and centre Ste Pilkington chipped over the oncoming defensive line. A slight groan from the home spectators soon changed to a cheer, as Beesley collected the kick and scored wide out after 29 mins which again Reynolds converted well. 26 – 7 after 29 mins.

It was one of those days when Beesley, at times, looked in a different a class as he made an arcing break from 50m out and scored wide out after 37 mins. 33 – 7 with the conversion, after 37 mins and Lymm seemed to be cruising.

However, this reputation for running the ball from anywhere is well earned by Exeter Uni and what followed was a classic example of underestimating the opposition. Two quick tries, with an injury to Lymm’s prop Dan Hunter in between, brought the score to 33 – 19 as the half time whistle went. The visitors were still in it and their tails were up!

Half Time: Lymm 33 – 19 Exeter University

Most home supporters, although slightly nervous about Exeter’s skill in breaking the line, did not believe they could beat the home side at this point but there were a few worried faces in the crowd.

And then another converted try just after half time by Exeter brought the score to 33 – 26. Lymm started the second half slightly unsettled and had allowed Exeter to play their expansive game. However, a charge-down in Exeter’s 22, by second row replacement Ben Thompson, allowed him to feed the ever-present flanker Rhys Lilley who scored under the sticks. 40 – 26 after 52 mins and a little breathing space.

It was clear that Lymm were the dominant pack and had the opposing scrum going backwards on several occasions. This forward dominance did not stop Exeter scoring another well worked backs try near the sticks taking the score to 40 – 33 with the conversion.

With renewed confidence Exeter upped the tempo but another charge down by Rhys Lilley in Exeter’s 22 relieved the pressure slightly. 45 – 33 after 65 mins.

At this point skipper Beesley was shown a yellow card and seemingly took one for the boys for a series of team misdemeanours.

In trying to put daylight between the teams Lymm made a concerted effort but the final pass went to ground. Frustration was evident and Exeter sensed the opportunity, bringing even more flair and expansiveness to their game. For a neutral it would have been a pleasure to watch. Not so for the silenced home crowd.

On 72 minutes Exeter, once more created an opportunity with an attacking line-out and scored a converted try. 45 – 40 with 8 minutes left on the clock.

A penalty to Lymm, taken in front of the posts was possibly the biggest compliment Lymm could have given the visitors as it now required two scores to overtake the hosts. 48 – 40 after 77 mins, and this remained as the final whistle went.

Full Time: Lymm 48 – 40 Exeter University

Lymm did not make their dominance up-front pay and kicking to this fast, young and fit university team, played into their hands. A little more ruthlessness might have paid dividends and lessons learned no doubt.

‘For 35 minutes we were excellent — the lads stuck to a clear game plan and executed it superbly,’ commented DoR Adam Fletcher. ‘We lost a bit of concentration before half-time and Exeter took their chances. We knew how dangerous they are in broken play and we gave them too many opportunities in the second half.

‘Frustration at the result shows our ambition and standards. To be sitting 4th after 9 games is testament to the effort and togetherness in this group. We’ll keep pushing hard to climb the table,’ he concluded.

Team: 1. Ben Lilley (28) 2. Rob Makin (96)* 3. Dal Ngoma (6) 4. Dylan Hodgkinson (4) 5. Sam Wickes (8) 6. Rhys Lilly (79)*Josh Hadland (66)* 8. Oli Higginson (286)* 9. Cal Morris (71) 10. Alfie Simpson (46) * 11. Paddy Jennings (86)* 12. Jack Reynolds (41) 13. Ste Pilkington (89) 14. Nathan Beesley (98)* (C) 15. Joe Heaton (4)*.

Finishers: 16 James Pitcher (98)* 17. Dan Hunter (20) 18. Ben Thompson (58) Max Ure (4) 20. Tom Manaton (32).

( ) = number of Lymm First XV League appearances

* Former Lymm Academy/M&J player

Referee: Daniel Woods

Assistants: Jonny Cartwright, Steve Halliday

4^th Official: Neil Allen

Match Report: Simon Plumb

Man of the Match