Report by David Millachip
LYMM went three points clear at the top of the league as they visited sandal and put the home Club to the sword with a 5-46 score line that made the trip over the Pennines one to remember.
Sandal opened up with a 10 minute spell trying to batter down the Lymm defence with a series of forward drives but found themselves still on and around the half way line. After 11 minutes, Lymm were awarded a 40m penalty but the stiff wind took the ball wide. Two minutes later, Lymm pressure forced Sandal to concede another penalty on their 10m line, which Lymm put into touch.
From the resultant lineout, Lymm ran the ball through several sets of hands for James Kimber to touch down left of the posts, giving an easy conversion for Cormac Nolan, 0-7.
Shortly after the restart, another move with many hands once again involved, it was scum half Andy Davies who skipped through by the posts, Nolan converting, 0-14. Lymm continued with excellent ball retention and handling and from the half way line a surging run by Oli Higginson saw the ball going out wide on the left to Richard McEvoy to score but the wind defeated the conversion attempt, 0-19.
Replacement Jordan Widdrington came on for prop Gav Woods who had been making his presence felt but was forced into temporary retirement with a nasty cut to his knee. On 33 minutes Sandal were still under sustained pressure on their 22m line. Penalised for kicking the ball out of a ruck left Nolan an easy kick to further extend the visitors lead, 0-22. As half-time approached, Sandal tested Lymm’s defence and they advanced to the visitor’s line and only a superb, try saving tackle by McEvoy prevented them troubling the scoreboard attendant. Lymm’s 0-22 lead reflected their dominance as the teams retired to the dressing rooms at the break.
Lymm restarted the second half with not quite the same vigour and a forward pass on halfway in yet another of their sweeping moves gave the hosts possession from the scrum. They moved downfield with winger Martin touching down for an unconverted try, 5-22. A somewhat unclear yellow card to McEvoy very briefly provided some hope for Sandal but this was not to last. Lymm continued their quick expansive play and after good lineout work from the forwards, Nolan touched down wide out on the right, and then added the extras, 5-29. A penalty from around 45m gave the opportunity for Nolan, now with the wind at his back, to further extend Lymm’s lead. 5-32.
Scott Redfearn, who had been having an excellent game at stand-off with his quick hands and intelligent kicking, was sidelined with an awkward looking shoulder injury, Will Titherington taking over his role. Gav Woods, patched up and now back on, marked his return with a couple of outrageous sidesteps to score by the posts from 5m with Nolan once again successful with the easy kick, 5-39. Sandal by now were completely demoralised, so it was no surprise to see Denman cross the line shortly before referee Jason Wagner blew the final whistle with, yet again, Nolan adding the extras from a wide position, 5-46. Definitely a great day at the office for those from t’other side of the hill.
Speaking at the end of the game coach Adam Fletcher summed up Lymm’s achievement. “An outstanding performance resulting in six tries-but we’re not the finished article yet”.
This week Lymm are at home to Wirral KO3pm
Team: 1) Gavin Woods, 2) Adam Bray (C), 3) Dan Horton, 4) Joe McGrail, 5) Joe Watson, 6) Sam Mullarkey, 7) Ali Sutherland, 8) Oli Higginson, 9) Andy Davies, 10) Scott Redfern, 11) Joe Denman, 12) James Kimber, 13) Richard McEvoy, 14) Lucas Titherington, 15) Cormac Nolan, 16) Jordan Widdrington, 17) Matty Connolly, 18) Will Titherington.
