Lymm shine through the gloom

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THE long journey to South Shields for a National League 3 North encounter with Westoe did not suppress Lymm’s attractive and attacking rugby, played in extremely gloomy conditions as they ran out winners 18-28.
Using the advantage of a slight wind and slope Westoe started on the attack and tested the Lymm defence. However after gaining possession, Joe Knowles, who had an excellent game at fly half, kicked for position behind the Westoe defence. Fluent handling got Lymm close to the try line where the forwards recycled good ball for scrum half Tom Baker to touch down for a try neatly converted by Cormac Nolan. (0-7)
Westoe responded immediately with an attack which was only halted at the cost of a penalty. They kicked to the corner, won the line out and eventually overwhelmed Lymm’s desperate defence to level the score (7-7). Lymm were soon back in Westoe territory but their attack was foiled by an interception giving the Westoe winger a 70 yard sprint to the line. The Lymm chasers forced the scorer to run wide resulting in a failed conversion attempt. (12-7)
Knowles was controlling the game, varying positional kicks and well judged passes. He put Giles Dugdale away on a scything run that almost brought a try. Then fellow centre Tom Bray made an equally effective break but over eager support gave Westoe a relieving penalty. Lymm were too often guilty of hanging onto the ball after the tackle, thus undermining their otherwise excellent attacks and it was another penalty which extended the Westoe lead. (15-7)
A feature of Lymm’s first half was their solid line out with, Williams, Kaihau and Adam Bray sharing the honours, which included two steals in succession of Westoe’ throws. Therefore when Lymm had a line out on 5 metres, just before half time, a score seemed probable but just for once things went wrong and the chance was missed.
A break by Dugdale earned an early second half penalty for Nolan to reduce the arrears. (15-10). Full back Dave Williamson then intercepted, kicked deep and Westoe gave away another Nolan penalty success. (15-13)
Westoe were now making more and more mistakes in their efforts to counter Lymm pressure. It was no surprise when James Yates charged down a kick and Sam Mullarkey won the race for the touchdown leaving Nolan to convert (15- 20). Richard Halford, a graduate from the Lymm mini, junior and colts system, came on to make his senior league debut replacing winger Mark Wells. In less than a minute he received his first pass and his long determined run for the line was only halted by a last ditch tackle. Knowles then made a 40 yard break but was halted just short of the line. Lymm drove Westoe off the ball at the subsequent scrum and Tom Baker was on hand to score his second try. (15-25)
Lymm were now chasing a fourth try for a bonus point. Understandably over eagerness spoiled a number of promising moves when a bit more composure may have helped. Just an exchange of penalties completed the scoring (18-28).
Reflecting on the game, Lymm Coach, Adam Fletcher, was very pleased with this emphatic away win adding “It was good to see some of our newer players doing so well and demonstrating the quality of our squad. We are a young team with a great deal of potential.”
Next week Lymm are at home to unbeaten Waterloo KO 3pm.

Team
1) Alex Reay; 2) Dan Horton; 2) Mike Auden; 4) Alex Kaihau; 5) Sion Williams (C); 6) James Yates; 7) Sam Mullarkey; 8) Adam Bray; 9) Tom Baker; 10) Joe Knowles; 11) Mark Wells; 12) Giles Dugdale; 13) Tom Bray; 14) Cormac Nolan; 15) David Williamson; 16) Richard Halford; 17) Jack Harper; 18) Nick Ashton


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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