Report by Neil Allen
LYMM were blown up the M6 to Kendal by Hurricane Brian, and had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 7-7 draw to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
The team was at virtual full-strength and boosted further by the return of Jake Ashall on the bench. Like a wet Wednesday night in Stoke, an away fixture at Kendal in the depths of winter has always been a tester for Lymm. Enjoying Kendal’s very impressive new home and the excellent hospitality, the visiting supporters hoped things might be different this time around.
Kendal played the first half with the benefit of the strong wind, despite this Lymm started well, their trademark passing game making light of the stormy conditions. This in turn was met with a very resolute and determined Kendal side who were not about to roll over for the league leaders. As the half wore on and the cold and wet sank in, the game inevitably deteriorated. Lymm tried to play but were finding it increasingly difficult to move the ball wide. Kendal defended very well and both sides struggled to control the slippery ball.
With five minutes of the half to go, a horrible injury to the Kendal centre, (which turned out to be a broken ankle), sent the players from the field. All at Lymm wish the Kendal player well for a speedy recovery. When the players returned Kendal pounced to take the lead. With the Lymm scrum retreating they were for once unable to get the ball clear and a mix up at the base of the scrum enabled Kendal to steal the ball and run in under the posts unopposed. 7-0 to Kendal at half-time and the home team with their tails up.
Kendal came out for the second half with all guns blazing. Lymm repelled the initial onslaught and with the wind at their backs camped in the Kendal half. However despite having the lion’s share of possession Lymm were unable to make any real inroads. Balls drifted to ground on the wind and the Lymm game became increasingly narrow, which Kendal lapped up. It was looking like Kendal might hold on but with 10-minutes to go and after a period of sustained pressure, Olli Higginson finally crossed the line at the bottom of a driving maul. The extras were added by Cormac Nolan to make it 7-7.
At this point most of the spectators and possibly even the players would have settled for a draw and called it a day as the weather continued to deteriorate. In the end the final few minutes were largely uneventful and a draw was a fair result. Not a day for the 15 man game, but Lymm maintained their unbeaten record and despite the weather, they were not blown away in Cumbria.
Tests like this will continue as winter dawns and Lymm may have to look to develop a plan B. Next up, sees the other hardy Cumbrian’s from Kirby Lonsdale visit Crouchley Lane, for what will be a similarly difficult challenge.
Squad: 1) Gav Woods, 2) Adam Bray (C), 3) Dan Horton, 4) Matty Connelly, 5) Joe Watson, 6) Sam Mullarkey, 7) Alli Sutherland, 8) Olli Higginson, 9) Andy Davies, 10) Scott Redfern, 11) Lucas Titherington, 12) Tom Bray, 13) James Kimber, 14) Richard McEvoy, 15) Cormac Nolan, 16) Matty Hand, 17) Richard Halford, 18) Jake Ashall.
