by Dave Fernyhough
A game that started very brightly ended as dour as the weather around it as Lymm lost out 23-32 at home to Sandal in their final game of the year.
The morning fog that had lifted by kick off returned with a vengeance as dusk neared, obscuring much of the second half. Few watching expressed any real disappointment with this fact, as the constant sound of the referee’s whistle blowing gave enough indication of what was going on !
Both teams began the match full of vigour, with Lymm clearly keen to make ammends for recent poor form. the opening minutes were hectic but adventurous, and played exclusively in Sandal’s half. The first minute saw three turnovers, testifying to the hell for leather approaches on offer.
James Kimber at centre was influential in the early exchanges, with a clever kick through putting the visitors on the back foot and setting up a line out which Lymm stole. However, Sandals flanker Carolan was on hand to stop the Lymm attack with a thundering tackle, forcing a knock on.
Lymm would soon get the ball back though, and this time a score ensued. A loose Sandal clearance was picked up by 17 year old winger Lucas Titherington. His footwork, speed and size saw him make 15 yards before a well timed pass put Kimber in space. His deft dummy created even more space, and he galloped through the space to open the scoring. 5 v 0.
Sandal responded strongly, However some fine Lymm defence and indifferent execution from the Yorkshiremen meant they could not make full use of their possession. Both sides then conspired to ensure the ball spent the next few minutes bobbling around each side of the half way line.
Sandal did eventually force a Lymm line out 10 metres from their own line. An apparent failure in communication saw the ball slapped back over their own try line. No Lymm player seemed to anticipate this and Sandal pounced on this gift to level the scores. The conversion took the score to 5 v 7.
Lymm continued to compete well. Excellent field kicking by Tom Shard at scrum half, and chasing by Olly Higginson and the boys in the back row made up for the poor handling that affected each side. A penalty from 45 metres out was their reward and Cormac Nolan converted impressively. 8 v 7.
Sandal were equally committed and they too would soon see a penalty in their favour, 8 v 10..
At this point the home side were looking to move the ball with some adventure and another 45 metre penalty went their way which Nolan again scored, 11 v 10..
The penalties and free kicks were now coming thick and fast for whichever team had the ball. Only one lead to a scoring opportunity, and this was the score that put Sandal 11 v 13 ahead.
Half time gave the referees whistle a bit of a break, and allowed the Crouchley Lane crowd to enjoy some scintillating half time entertainment. Not every rugby club would have the gusto to hire the Salvation Army Temperance Band to play a rousing brass rendition of “Tequila” but Lymm do !!
Sandal started the second half the brighter. A break by winger Frewin should have lead to a try but his pass was knocked down by a Lymm defender. Sandal got the penalty but Lymm probably got away with a yellow card.
Lymm were unable to clear their lines though, and poor kicks and relentless penalties saw Sandal with the put in for a scrum on Lymm’s 5 metre line. The number 8, Whittingham, was able to pick the ball up from the back of the scrum and dart forward unimpeded for what looked like a very easy score. The conversion saw Sandal move 11 v 21 ahead.
Lymm saw very little of the ball for the next quarter of the game. The penalties and a yellow card kept on coming, and the knock ons weren’t far behind. Lymm defended with real commitment but had no opportunity to gain any ball for a sizeable chunk of the game. Two Sandal tries, both originating from Lymm being penalised close to their own try lines, saw Lymm fall further behind, but a well worked line out saw hooker Dan Horton score and keep Lymm just in touch. 16 v 32.
The fog was now becoming a real issue, as was the repetitive peep of the referees whistle. The Lymm lads though had a final flourish in them. Lead by the Bray brothers, they went hunting a losing bonus point. Finally having some possession of the ball, the penalties started going their way, with four in a row leading to a Sandal yellow card. Lymm exploited their rare experience of good field position, and from a quick tap, Jake Ashall was able to cross the tryline and reduce the deficit to 21 v 32. Nolan converted again and Lymm were within nine. 23 v 32.
James Kimber made another strong break from the restart and Lymm were back in Sandal territory with time running out. Visibility was appalling but the penalties continued to go Lymms way. A final opportunity to gain a point was to fall short with a knock in a ruck eight metres out.
Final score 23 v 32
Sandal were deserved winners of a game that was too impacted by penalties etc to allow any flow. Joe Watson and young Titherington were identified by the home team faithful as making impressive contributions for Lymm, but there were no rewards for their labours.
The Christmas break will allow Adam Fletchers boys a chance to heal and refresh ahead of what is now a crucial game at Doncaster in the New Year.
TEAM. M. Auden, D. Horton, J. Widdrington, J. Watson, M. Connelly, J. Ashall, A. Bray, O. Higginson, T. Shard, T. Bray, J. Kimber, R. McEvoy, L. Tithrrington, J. Denham, C. Nolan subs. Z. Lythgoe, W. Titherington
