A last second converted try, deep in injury time, gave this score line a look of respectability that maybe doesn’t reflect the game.
Bitter cold and a fierce wind would have an impact on how each team performed and Lymm attacked into the wind in the first half. The home side started brightly enough. Big tackles from James Boaden saw Lymm in good field position; however a knock on in midfield brought this possession to a halt and the first of a number of excellent clearing kicks from Wirral’s fly half, pinned Lymm in their own final third. Patient and thoughtful offence saw the visitors build real pressure on the Lymm line, resulting in a big overlap which they exploited with aplomb. The conversion made the score (0-7).
Shortly after Cormac Nolan (returning from a foot injury) seized on a loose ball 35 metres out and made for the try line. However as the tackle neared Lymm seemed to have 3 options but chose none of them and the ball was lost.
Lymm were though beginning to assert themselves through their pack. A string of penalties resulted in a line out 15 metres from the Wirral line. A lack of composure in the backs saw the ball lost whilst being offloaded. Wirral were unable to clear the ball this time though, and Lymm continued to threaten. Another penalty line out near the Wirral line followed, but Lymm infringed and lost the opportunity. Luckily, another penalty did follow which Nolan kicked to make the score (3-7).
Lymm were now looking like the probable winners, with just their own execution stopping them from scoring. This situation was to change quickly.
From the restart Lymm struggled to clear the ball, trapping them in their own half and giving away a penalty which was converted easily (3-10).
This failure to clear the ball shaped much of the rest of the half. In a strong wind Lymm repeatedly kicked the ball high only to see it batted back at them. As a result Wirral were given plenty of possession in Lymm territory. They were more than happy to make use of this largesse and soon added to their points tally. Another clever kick from their 10 slid the ball between 2 Lymm defenders in the in-goal area. Despite a Lymm hand seeming to have grounded the ball a Wirral hand was the last to touch it. The try was awarded and Lymm received a yellow card for dissent in the aftermath. The conversion was good, (3-17).
Lymm needed a positive response and they put together some sustained attacking play, with the forwards asserting themselves. This created space out wide which Rowley and Nolan attacked, Nolan though dropped the ball whilst scoring and another try slipped away. These two were to make amends soon after when another strong effort by the pack created just enough of an opportunity for Rowley to squeeze through and take the score to 8-17.
From the re-start again Lymm were unable to get the ball out of their half. Similarly Wirral would find themselves with plenty of possession and they were very able to make use of it. Their umber 10 once more was pulling the strings and he fed the Lymm defence enough of a dummy pass to open up a space for him to trot easily through to add another try to Wirral’s tally (8-24).
The second half saw Lymm clearly fired up. With the wind now behind them they were able to make distance with their kicking. A Joe Knowles kick through was well chased by Sion Williams who stole the ball from the Wirral full back 5 metres out. Lymm won a penalty which saw Alex Kahui take the line out and set up Jordan Widdrington for a much needed Lymm try (13-24).
Lymm were now confident and from the restart George Boaden made a good break which again lead to a Lymm penalty and line out. Crisp play saw the ball whipped across the backs for Knowles to find Williams on the wing whose dive just reached the try line (18- 24).
Lymm then reverted to the stuttering mess that had cost them in the first half. The re start was again an issue with a poor clearance kick again trapping them in their half and giving Wirral the opportunities they had proved so good at capitalising on. Another easy looking try followed, giving Wirral an important bonus point. The score now 18-31 and Lymm had surrendered the momentum to a newly enthused Wirral. Lymm continued to have chances but poor execution rather than poor intent scuppered them every time. With victory beyond them Lymm needed to secure a losing bonus point and as the injury time went on looked to have scored after first Wells and later Rowley seemed certain to score. Excellent defending by Wirral prevented them both. Lymm were now camped in the Wirral red zone. With no time left it would be for the forwards to gain Lymm 2 bonus points as Widdrington again drove over and wit Andy Rowley converting, the final score was 25-31.
Wirral looked a far different team to the one beaten heavily by Lymm at the start of the year. Defensively strong and inventive in the backs they were deserved winners. Lymm also looked a different team to the one which played with such flair in the first fixture. There was no lack of application or effort, particularly in the pack. Alex Kahui put in one of his better performances and Jordan Widdrington was a real influence on the game. James Boaden ran and tackled with ferocity in the midfield. It is weaknesses in execution that hamstrung the team. The chances were created but not taken.
There are no games for any team now until Saturday 31st Jan when Lymm 1st team travel to 2nd placed Sale.
Squad: 1) Nick Ashton, 2) Ross White, 3) Jordan Widdrington, 4) Alex Kahui, 5) Sion Williams (C), 6) Jack Harper, 7) Sion Mullarkey, 8) Adam Bray, 9) George Boaden, 10) Tom Bray, 11) Andy Rowley, 12) James Boaden, 13) Richard Halford, 14) Cormac Nolan, 15) Joe Knowles, 16) Jake Ashall, 17) Mark Wells, 18) Dan Horton
