Lymm 9
Harrogate 26

With three fixtures left, and one more win away from avoiding relegation, Lymm welcomed fourth-placed Harrogate to a sunny, spring day at Beechwood.

The run-in to the end of the season is not straightforward and a beady eye was on the Kendal/Blaydon score which, if third from bottom Kendal had won and Lymm were to lose, would put them within three points of fourth from the bottom Lymm, and a real threat to Lymm staying up.

However Lymm, with a breeze at their backs, started briskly winning a penalty after 10 minutes, converted by full back Tom Shard, 3-0. Harrogate started to play with attacking verve but Lymm’s back row, and Joe Watson in particular, were putting in a strong tackling shift. When in possession, Lymm were not making the most of their attacking positions. This early lack on incision was to prove costly as the game progressed and has become a chink in this team’s armour in recent games.

Harrogate clearly had another gear they could move up to and subsequently put the clutch down, scoring a well-structured try wide out for the left winger. The conversion was missed, 3 – 5 after 25 minutes. A further penalty by Shard put Lymm’s noses in front after 29 minutes, 6-5. One promising move from Lymm saw the ball moved out wide to Colt, Joe Senior, who made good ground but had to retire with a pulled hamstring. Regaining possession, an attacking line-out gave the visitors the perfect platform to trundle over for a well-worked try near the posts making it 6-12 after 32 minutes, with the added extras.

The even-handed referee then spotted a Lymm infringement by Aaron Rashid, the Lymm second row and he went for a 10 minute rest. Harrogate then looked dangerous, seeking a score before half time, with Lymm a man down. Harrogate are blessed with a very big, gnarly second row unit who could both run and pass well. This was causing Lymm all sorts of problems as the half was coming to an end. The score subsequently came with another well worked try as they put the pressure on, 6 – 19 as the conversion went over and the half time whistle went.

Lymm’s determined defence was a feature of the game but, quite frankly, it was not enough to stop a team aiming for a second placed play-off position. While Lymm beat Harrogate twice last season there was an increasing feeling in the crowd the visitors were going to return the compliment in this one.

Lymm could not break the defensive line and then scrum half Andy Davies, a classy and pivotal player for Lymm, had to leave the field of play after suffering a double injury involving both a cut head and a dislocated shoulder. Morale dropped like a stone but Lymm dusted themselves off and Shard moved to scrum half with Scott Redfern moving to full back. Harrogate’s bag of nutty slack of a second row then also got yellow carded giving Lymm a glimmer of hope. Lymm got on the front foot and started to build momentum and in this mood tries are scored. The watching veterans from the Old Boys reunion became the most animated they had been all afternoon.

A further penalty from Shard seemed like scant reward as the scoreboard read 9 – 19 with an hour gone. The momentum stayed with Lymm until two wayward kicks went out on the full, handing back the initiative to the visitors. During one attacking phase from Lymm one poor pass resulted in a knock-on and Harrogate decided it was their turn, despite losing another second row with a yellow card for a high tackle. The game moved deep in to the Lymm 22 until the left winger went over in the corner for another well-worked score.  9 – 26 after a well taken conversion, on 75 minutes.

For all their endeavour Lymm were not equal in this encounter and lacked a cutting edge. Execution at key moments was poor and, for a team clearly lacking confidence, Lymm were simply out-played. However, Kendal also lost so Lymm remain 8 points above the relegation zone and all is not lost. Next Saturday Lymm travel to Sandal KO 3pm.

“Another disappointing loss against a good side” said Head Coach, Adam Fletcher.

“We had opportunities in the 1st half to score more points but unfortunately we lacked accuracy and composure. I was really happy with our attitude and defensive work throughout. We’ve just got to keep working hard and believing in ourselves. If we do that, we will stay in this league”.

Teamsheet