Lymm 59
Bowdon 24

Lymm hosted Bowdon in a pre-season warm up match at Beechwood. This followed a joint training session with Sandbach the previous week and squad weekend at an outward bound centre in North Wale the previous weekend.

Bowdon were promoted at the end of last season to North 1 West, RFU Level 6, one league below Lymm and were keen to test themselves against a team from Level 5. Both teams had a number of players unavailable, Lymm fielding a squad of 26 and the match was played over 4 x 20minute sessions. Lymm’s new AGP is currently under construction but won’t be ready until October, so it was played on their excellently prepared Pitch 2.

The first two quarters were fairly even, with both sides enjoying throwing the ball about and Lymm just in front 26 – 24. However, pace and fitness showed in the last two quarters, as Lymm scored 33 points without reply. However, Bowdon look in good shape and should compete well in their new league.

It was good to see James Mawdsley, Reece Lilly, George Anderson, Josh Hamer, Jorge Reynolds and Josh Hadland have their first run outs for the 1st XV squad. Also, Matty Hand, Dan Horton, Rhys Jones and Cormac Nolan returning from long injury lay-offs.

Head Coach, Fletcher commented, ‘Lots of positives to take from the match but also lots to work on. We will review the video footage and learn from our mistakes. Overall, happy with the run out.

Lymm will have an internal club practice game on Thursday evening, 22nd August and one more pre-season game on Saturday 31^st August, at home against Waterloo, KO 2.30pm.

Squad