by Jim Knowles
LYMM’S play-off hopes were dented by a 13-20 home defeat by fellow contenders Hull.
This was a keenly anticipated game, Lymm and Hull being level on league points and respectively in third and fourth place, just one point behind second placed Harrogate.
Lymm had triumphed in Hull, with a 28 – 19 win at the end of September, when conditions favoured Lymm’s fifteen man, fast paced running style. This game had been postponed in January due to the pitch being too wet and again pitch conditions were debated but this time frost was the concern. On Friday Vertidraining, two days of sun and other grounds work resulted in a pitch about as good as any could be for an amateur club at the end of February.
Hull’s kick to start the game went deep into Lymm territory. The first scrum gave Lymm the advantage of the feed but the strength of the Hull pack forced Lymm to concede a penalty and after two minutes Hull had an encouraging lead (0 – 3). Already at this early stage, the pattern of the game was established with Hull’s big set of forwards being dominant at scrums and driving mauls, in contrast to Lymm’s swift passing and running style of play. Andy Davies at scrum half and his half back partner Scott Redfern used their kicking skills to ease the pressure on Lymm’s resolute defence and to gain territorial advantage. This was complimented by Ollie Higginson’s lineout work initiating a series of attacking phases taking play into the Hull 22 metre zone. This time the Lymm forwards won the scrum Davies made a break, launched an attack and Hull conceded a penalty to give Cormack Nolan a relatively easy kick to level the scores (3 – 3 ) after 20 minutes. Shortly after this Adam Bray, captain and lock forward was injured and replaced by Aaron Rasheed.
Hull were next to attack but the Lymm defence held firm despite the visitors gradually moving up field and attempting to use a wider approach. Lymm try line was under threat until Lucas Richards made a big tackle in the corner on his opposing winger. Lymm were awarded a penalty and a long touch finding kick brought welcome respite. The game was now evenly balance both teams used the high kick and chase tactic only to find the ball was caught and run or kicked back across midfield with little apparent purpose. In this somewhat dull period the only excitement was a missed long distance Hull penalty attempt.
With about 5 minutes to half time the spark was struck. Lymm got on the attack from a line-out, moved the ball towards the opposite touch and were awarded a penalty. Redfern’s kick was neatly placed inside the Hull 22 and all seemed set for a catch and drive. No, a quick throw took Hull by surprise, a ruck formed, Lymm won the ball and Andy Davies saw a gap, sold a dummy, crossed the line and then ran behind the posts to give Nolan an easy kick (10-3). Now it was Hull’s turn, initiated by gathering a rather aimless kick from Lymm and replying with a better kick to start an attack from which they gained a penalty. This time, Hull unsurprisingly, kicked to the corner and executed a lineout catch, driving maul, try and conversion.( 10 – 10 ).Lymm’s restart kick went directly into touch giving Hull the advantage of a scrum but the host’s defence held firm and then a turn over gave James Kimber a chance to break the gain line. This last attack unfortunately fizzled out just as Lymm hopes rose at the prospect of a half time lead.
Lymm made a lively start to the second half with a trade mark running and passing phase featuring breaks and good yards gained by Higginson and Davies. Lymm stole a Hull lineout, attacked again and Hull were penalised to give Nolan another well taken kick at goal (13 – 10). From this point Hull gradually gained the ascendency. An ominous sign was their choice of scrums rather than taking kickable penalty options and this resulted in a try under the posts (13 – 17). Another penalty for a Lymm scrum offence (13 – 20) reduced the home team’s hopes that were further diminished when yet another scrum offence resulted in a yellow card .Front row Matty Hands taking it for the heroic but outweighed Lymm pack.
“Hull came with a game plan and carried it out well” commented Lymm Head Coach Fletcher.
“They knew they’d have the upper hand in the scrum and ultimately that’s where the game was won.
“The few occasions we had the ball we moved it well and caused them problems. We actually could have snatched a draw in the final seconds of the game but couldn’t convert the pressure”
Lymm drop down to fourth in the North Premier League, Hull go third two points behind Harrogate and Preston Grasshoppers stay runaways at the top of the table. Lymm are still contenders for a “play off” promotion place but will have to win all their remaining games. Next Saturday, a home game against Rossendale would be boosted by a resounding defeat of Wirral.
Squad:
1) Gav Woods, 2) Dan Horton, 3) Matty Hand, 4) Sam Mullarkey, 5) Adam Bray (C), 6) Jake Ashall, 7) Ali Sutherland, 8) Oli Higginson, 9) Andy Davies, 10) Scott Redfern, 11) Luke Richards,
12) James Kimber, 13) Tom Bray, 14) Joe Denman, 15) Cormac Nolan, 16) Aaron Rasheed,
17) Jordan Widdrington, 18) James Yates.
