Lymm topple big guns to ease relegation fears

THE largest crowd of the season at Lymm’s Beechwood, consisting of past players, colts, parents and visitors witnessed what promised to be a competitive and skilful game of rugby in an important match for two teams at either end of the league table.
Nuneaton, lying third, if they won, had a chance of a play-off for promotion, and Lymm needed to keep winning to defy the spectre of relegation. Tension was high among the home support and if justice was to be served Lymm needed to replicate a run of form that has seen them win five out of the last five fixtures, as the season comes to a close next week.
Following a wet morning, the rain lifted but the clouds remained as Lymm kicked off with the breeze at their backs and spent most of the first quarter camped just outside the visitors 22. This gave left wing Cormac Nolan two penalty opportunities and he converted one, 3 – 0 after 6mins.
Using the wind well, an astute kick by fly half Joe Knowles pinned the visitors back and the subsequent attacking line-out, from 5m, saw the ball whipped along the line only for full back Andy Rowley to knock it on as he attempted to pass out of the tackle. At this point it seemed only a matter of time before Lymm would get over the whitewash and so it proved. Nuneaton, to be expected of a top three side, defended fiercely but inadequate kicks out of their own 22 simply gave Lymm more opportunities to attack them.
No 8 Ollie Higginson, galloped off to the right, on one of his many runs from the base of an attacking scrum. He fed right wing Richard McEvoy who has looked dangerous every time he got the ball in recent weeks, and he stepped inside, causing panic in the Nuneaton defence. Scrum half Baker cleverly ran into the wing position and was ideally placed to take the try scoring pass and dive over in the corner for the first try of the afternoon, 8 – 0 after 12mins.
Nuneaton went on the offensive but their back play showed little imagination, especially when confronted by Lymm’s line speed and determined defensive wall. Every time they tried to go forward they ended up further back or simply where they started. This was to become a feature of the match and illustrated the home side’s considerable defensive effort. Tom Darbyshire, as ever in recent weeks replaced James Yates in the second row after 25mins and started to pump his long legs with ball-in-hand.
A penalty from halfway by Nolan no doubt reminded many of the past players of Tony Egan’s attempt many years ago to win a vital cup match in the last minute. Equally spectacularly Nolan hit the crossbar but did not succeed this time. However, a concerted attack by the Lymm pack, when one yard was made at a time, resulted in Baker diving over to collect his brace.
It was just as well he scored because as he dummied then dived, the spectators could hear the groans from the players outside him for what they thought was an opportunity lost. But Baker has been playing with considerable vigour and confidence in recent weeks and he knew what he was doing.
Nolan converted taking the score to 15 – 0 after 25mins and the home support felt well comforted. This was ill founded as the kick-off was poorly fielded by the Lymm forwards eventually giving Nuneaton an attacking scrum 5m out. A score via a penalty near the sticks, following a collapsed scrum, was declined and their intent and confidence to score a try was clear. Second row big Matt Gibbs duly obliged when he was fed the ball 7m out and the conversion put Nuneaton back in the game at 15 – 7.
Now it was Nuneaton’s turn to field the kick-off poorly as Lymm came straight back at them. Nolan took his penalty chance well, extending the home side’s lead to 18 -7. Despite Nuneaton trying hard to penetrate the Lymm line in a series of forward and back forays normal defensive service was resumed and neither side troubled the scoreboard, if there had been one, as the half concluded.
Was this an eleven point wind? Could Lymm hold back the much bigger Nuneaton forwards? Who would score next and therefore gain the all-important momentum? If ever there was a need for Lymm to start the second half well this was the moment. The tireless Tim Oakes came off with a shoulder injury and Kieren Williams replaced him in the back row after 46mins. But Lymm seemed determined to take the initiative and wave after wave of attack, with the forwards driving and the backs handling well, resulted in domination but no score.
The next 20mins became a key period in the game, and the tension was evident among the spectators, home and away. As the game progressed it became clear that Ollie Higginson, who had missed much of the season through injury, wanted to make a difference and the impact of his athleticism was significant. He was outstanding, in defence and attack. Time and again he surged forward taking a string of tacklers with him, and then deftly passing out of the tackle or making it available for continuity purposes. It was glorious to watch and you could tell what it meant to him.
With 16mins on the clock Nuneaton kicked deep into the Lymm 22, although they had not used the wind particularly well up to this point. The subsequent line-out was greeted with dread by the home support who anticipated another driving maul from the big pack. But the ball was knocked on and Lymm cleared their lines to relief all round.
Nuneaton continued to press but two penalties were missed and Oakes returned to the fray. Another Lymm attack, when the ball passed through many pairs of hands, forwards and backs alike, eventually went to ground and the match winning try was becoming increasingly illusive.
One attack by Baker put centre Tom Bray away, but he was called back for a forward pass much to everyone’s frustration. However the score did come eventually with 4mins left on the clock.
Playing with flair and determination, the ball was worked down the right and centre Dave Williamson took full advantage. The ball was worked through a series of hands before Knowles dived over for a try that was accompanied with a huge cheer and sigh of relief in equal measure. The celebratory pile-up looked more footie than Webb Ellis but the crowd forgave the boys in green, black and white,
Nolan put the icing on the cake with his conversion and a final score of 25-7. Unbelievably, following all other results, Lymm still need one more point to absolutely secure League Three rugby next season but much must go awry in a number of games next week for this to happen. Not least Lymm would have to lose to high flying Old Halesonians away, but on this form who would bet against them?
Skipper Sion Williams was jubilant after the match. ‘I think our mindset has been the difference. We have been fired up for the last six games. The effort today showed our skill and ability, it has been the same for those six games and the boys deserved it,’ he said. ‘ The boys also did it for Kins (coach Chris Kinsey). Seven years as a coach is a long stint and we owed him that.’
The outgoing coach Kinsey was delighted. ‘We chose to play on Pitch One because the crowd are closer and the atmosphere was always going to be important today. This is a young team and they are going to do well. I am delighted for all of them,’ he concluded.
As veteran observer Mal Pritchard commented, ‘We are playing as one of the best teams in the league at the moment. I think it shows we are the form team currently and how good we can be when everyone is fit.’
A respectable mid league position awaits if Lymm continue to beat the league’s big guns on Saturday and it would not be undeserved.

Team: Ashton, A Bray, Widdrington, S Williams, Yates, Oakes, Mullarkey, Higginson, Baker, Knowles, Nolan, T Bray, Williamson, McEvoy, Rowley. Reserves: K Williams, Darbyshire, Barnes-Smith.