Rossendale 2nds 38 – 28 Lymm 2nds

Lymm 2nd XV travelled to a sunny Rossendale, who have recruited well in the off-season, following a last minute home victory against a very skilful Fylde team the previous week. A number of absentees from the previous week and players back into the squad meant a few changes were made prior to kick off.

Lymm started off well through some strong carries from the pack and playing in the right areas of the field. 2 quick penalties put Lymm 0-6 up. Rossendale went long from the kick off with a good kick chase won a penalty and opted for the kick to the corner. A well defended maul from Lymm couldn’t stop the series of pick and go’s from the Rossendale pack 5-6. Lymm kicked long and forced a Rossendale exit where Lymm fell into their structure quickly and after a few phases they made a line break through the middle. Good support from Matty Connolly and James Anderson led to a scrambled Rossendale defence conceding a penalty for a last ditched high tackle 5-9 to Lymm.

Several injuries to Lymm players and shift of numerous positions led to Lymm losing control of the game. Rossendale who have improved significantly since last season took this as their opportunity and quickly scored 26 unanswered points.

Following this, Lymm turned a corner and began to control the game and play at their fast tempo. Big carries from Nonso, Joe Watson and Will Higgins saw Lymm go forward in attack and with good defence from Rory Riddell, Alex Stewart and Matt Hill put, Rossendale under pressure when they had the ball.

ith Lymm regaining control and forcing Rossendale to be camped out on their line, Captain Tom Baker took a hard carry and crashed over the line, 31-16. Lymm continued to attack with both width and through the middle falling into shape to allow Sadge on a brilliant line to go through the middle of the defence to score, 31-23. At this point Rossendale we’re starting to panic and giving away numerous penalties including a yellow card to their second row. Lymm took advantage of this with more pressure being applied, a kick pass over the top of the on rushing Rossendale defence led to Ash Freeman scoring in the corner, 31-28.

With only a few minutes to go Rossendale kicked off long and with Lymm trying to quickly get back into Rossendale territory a knock-on led to Rossendale ball where they managed to score last play to win 38-28.

Squad: Matty Connolly, Sadge Kakaie, Alex Stewart, Matt Grellier, Nonso Agina, Ben Polec, Joe Watson, Matt Hill, Henry Baldwin, Will Higgins, James Anderson, George Anderson, Josh Bate, Tom Baker (c), Paddy Jennings, Rory Riddell, Jorge Reynolds, Ash Freeman, Josh Hamer

Match Report – Josh Bate