Report by David Millachip
LYMM were guilty of making too many errors as they suffered a 36-21 defeat at Billingham.
Hoping to improve their mid table position, it was Lymm who kicked off with a moderate breeze favouring neither team blowing across the pitch. Lymm started strongly and forced Billingham back into to their own 22 for several minutes before left wing Joe Denman forced his way over the line; but the referee ruled held up. The resultant 5 metre scrum put the hosts under more pressure and conceding a penalty for Cormac Nolan to slot over, 0-3.
From the restart, smart handling across the Billingham backs saw their stand-off, Joe Evans hustle over out on the left for a well-executed try, scrum half Finney converting, 7-3. These passages of play were to typify the afternoon, both teams looking to playing open attacking rugby. Billingham were soon back on the attack. A crucial missed tackle by Lymm opened a gap for Billingham’s lock Dan Burns to race through and touch down, Finney converting 14-3.
Lymm took the game back into the hosts half and were rewarded with another Nolan penalty goal 14-6. However, the hosts were soon back up to the Lymm line but failed to ground the ball. Lymm then brought on Matty Connelly for James Yates. However it was still all Billingham, who took advantage of a Lymm defensive error resulting in an unconverted score wide out by left wing Briggs, 19-6.
Lymm responded well and moved play back into the Billingham half with good lineout work from Higginson. Billingham then conceded a penalty on their 22 allowing Nolan to add another 3 points making it 19-9 at the break.
From the restart, Lymm sustained a 10 minute period of pressure from the hosts. Lymm put Billingham on the back foot, continually driving them back to their own line, creating defensive problems and handling errors. Lymm’s Joe Watson seizing a loose ball scored a superb sniping flankers try by the posts from 2 metres out, Nolan converting, 19-16.
From the restart, good Lymm handling across the backs, well supported by the forwards, allowed full back Nolan to beat two defenders and go over for a very well deserved unconverted try by the corner flag. It was now Lymm dominating the scoreboard 19-21.
Words from their coaches encouraged Billingham to up their game. Running the ball well across their backs they created space for stand-off Joe Evans to touch down under the posts for his second try converted by Finney 26-21. With the Lymm defence in some disarray, it was little surprise when the hosts ran in another try, by replacement Peter Evans, following a missed tackle. Finney converting 33-21.
Finney completed the scoring with an easy penalty following Lymm straying offside, 36-21. However Lymm went back into the host’s half and with time running out Billingham found themselves offside on their 5 metre line. Lymm elected to take a scrum from which they were unable to capitalise.
Billingham well deserved their victory, the scoreline reflecting Lymm’s greater number of errors. Not only was the Lymm travelling support well entertained by the match on the pitch but the Billingham officials are to be congratulated on their excellent hospitality.
Squad: 1) Dan Horton, 2) Adam Bray (C), 3) Jordan Widdrington, 4) James Yates, 5) Will Baldwin, 6) Jake Ashall, 7) Joe Watson, 8) Oli Higginson, 9) Tom Shard, 10) Andy Davies, 11) Joe Denman, 12), Will Titherington, 13) Tom Bray, 14) L Titherington, 15) Cormac Nolan. Replacements. 16) Zak Lythgoe, 17) Matty Connolly, 18) Toby Philips.
