Lymm back on track

AFTER last week’s losing but improved performance Lymm desperately needed to put their season back on track. This disciplined and effective performance might well have done just that.
Lymm started poorly. As in previous weeks they gave away a string of penalties in dangerous areas. The home side had a number of returning players, and after good recent results were clearly confident. This was reflected in the assured way they capitalised on Lymm’s early disarray to score from a well executed line out maul. The conversion was missed, 5 v 0.
The visitors then sorted themselves out. Aware that the biggest challenge they faced was their own profligacy they began to play a far more controlled and disciplined game. With a referee who was not slow to penalise infractions at the ruck penalties would be crucial.
The halfback combination of Shard and Bray had been working well and soon combined to put Cormac Nolan into a gap which he exploited very well and charged forward. His long spinning pass out to his fellow winger Andy Rowley in clear space looked set to give Lymm their first score but Rowley couldn’t hold on to the pass. This did though signpost the way forward for Lymm.
A period of sustained multi-phase play saw Lymm awarded a penalty 25 metres out. Nolan hit the post but from the Burnage clearance another penalty was given from almost the exact same spot. This time Nolan was successful, 5 v 3.
Burnage responded energetically but undid their own efforts through knock ons and more penalties. The next score saw Lymm’s backs at their best. Tom Bray opened up the Burnage defence and slipped a pass to the increasingly influential Nolan on the wing. His inside ball to full back Joe Knowles was well timed and Knowles finished the attack with great pace. Nolan added the 2 points, 5 v 10.
Burnage have some very talented backs and given half a chance will make yards. A bit of sleepy defence allowed full back James Knight to beat the Lymm line and look guaranteed to score but excellent last ditch tackling saw his foot in touch. Lymm’s reprieve was temporary though with Burnage scoring another try from a maul. Again the conversion was missed, 10 v 10.
Lymm scored a relieving penalty for off-side to take a 3 point lead, but Burnage were looking increasingly threatening. An exciting break by scrum half Hodder again looked certain to result in a try but a Rowley covering tackle with a yard to go thwarted the home side. The referee yellow carded Rowley for not releasing in the tackle, but Lymm defended well to stop any further score.
The second half saw Burnage continue to look dangerous. A testing cross field kick by Rhys Evans has Lymm’s defence scurrying to tidy up any threat in their own 10 metres. They did this effectively via Tom Baker and were rewarded with a penalty 52 metres out. Nolan stepped up and his conversion never looked like missing, despite the distance. 10 v 16.
This score seemed to deflate Burnage, and they became increasingly out of sorts. Their restart went straight into touch and a yellow card for stamping was awarded against them soon after.
Lymm scored another penalty as Burnage failed to clear their lines. Lymm built a number of attacks that came close, and although unable to cross the line did come away with 3 points. 10 v 19.
The restart again went straight into touch, and Burnage again conceded a penalty at the break down. With Nolan in fine kicking form Lymm were able to extend their lead to 10 v 22.
Burnage rallied briefly through their talented centre Stuart Oldham. In previous matches he has caused Lymm problems in defence, and it was he again who brought Burnage back into the game. He stepped Lymm tacklers to score from 30 metres out. With the conversion good the lead was only 5 points. 17 v 22.
The shouts of Lymm prop Mike Auden ” we are not throwing this away again” seemed to mirror the motivation of his team mates and Lymm responded with a patience and execution that recent performances have lacked. Starting with a line out steal, and ending after some intelligent build up play with Tom Bray again creating a gap for Rich McEvoy to exploit, Lymm scored their second try, 17 v 27. Nolan again converted, 17 v 29.
A late flurry from Burnage was managed by Lymm and the ensuing knock on saw Lymm safe for their first ever win on the Burnage pitch.
The Lymm pack battled bravely all day and adapted well to the penalty risk. Adam Bray, who sustained an ankle injury in the first half, limped his way to the end, whilst his brother Tom managed Lymm’s attack throughout. Joe Knowles at 15 looks a constant threat and the Lymm line out went well all day.
However it was the combined decision making that stood out. The aimless kicking of previous matches was replaced by well executed and well intentioned kicks into space. With more ball in hand Lymm were able to use their speed to create gaps, and force their opponents onto the back foot. The ensuing penalties were meat and drink to the confident Cormac Nolan.
A clearly satisfied Coach Fletcher trilled ” Darling I’m so, so excited!! Didn’t my boys do so well ! I tell you sweetie they worked so hard for me today, and they were all so dirty and sweaty. Lovely. I’m so delighted I could cry…..”

Team: M.Auden, A. Bray, J.Widdrington, A. Kahui, T. Darbyshire, S. Williams, R. White, J. Ashall, T. Shard, T. Bray, A. Rowley, L. Emmitt, R. Halford, C. Nolan, J. Knowles. Subs: R. McEvoy, T. Baker, C. McGuinness