LYMM enjoyed their first ever visit to Cleckheaton ending their 18 month unbeaten home record, with a 13-17 victory.
On a dry, chilly but bright day, and with renewed optimism and confidence borne out a win against Rossendale, the visitors kicked off into the stiff breeze. All were aware the home side had a powerful pack and coach, Adam Fletcher, picked perhaps the strongest set of forwards available to him all season, with Adam Bray back at hooker and Irish recruit Andrew Kerr at 8.
They did not let him down and, from the off, Lymm went toe to toe up front with some success. Throughout a hard fought match the defences of both sides kept each other at bay time and again. The first 25 minutes was a series of thrusts and parries by both sides and unusually, illustrating great discipline, Lymm gave just one penalty away which was duly despatched. 3-0 to the home side.
As the half came to a close the Lymm backs, ably marshalled by young George Boaden at scrum half, and debutant Rhys Jones at fly half, began to have a significant bearing on proceedings. Lymm have been without a true fly half until this game all season and Jones was sure to be tested. However, despite the odd poor pass he took his opportunity and did the simple things well with the backs looking increasingly dangerous. Jake Ecclestone, at outside centre particularly caught the eye, with his bullocking and illusive runs. He seems to have settled well into the side, and looks comfortable at centre, after a couple of games on the wing.
The score remained 3-0 as the halftime whistle went, but not before Ecclestone got close and was tackled off the ball following a neat chip through.
Immediately after the re-start, Cleckheaton ill-advisedly kicked poorly to clear their lines into the welcoming arms of full back Joe Knowles. With space on the right Knowles rounded the first line of defence, passed sweetly to release right wing Cormac Nolan who flew down his wing, drew the last man and fed Ecclestone who dived over for a spectacular opening score, duly converted by Nolan. 3-7. It became increasingly clear, while the packs were pretty evenly matched, Lymm had a significant edge with their speedy, clever back division. This is not something this reporter has been able to say on too many occasions this season.
Cleckheaton, aware they were up against it, came back with force but Lymm, with a particularly meaty back row of Jake Ashall, Andrew Kerr and Sam Mullarkey, were tackling everything that moved.
Lymm, on the rare occasion of losing a scrum against the head in Cleckheaton’s 22, counter attacked once more from the clearing kick, with Andy Rowley, the left wing, back to his illusive best, spinning out of a tackle to penetrate deep into enemy territory. The ball was moved quickly out to Knowles on the right who beat three men to score a great individual try, also converted by Nolan, making it 3-14 after 52 minutes.
It was clear this two score lead had given Lymm a psychological advantage, and the home crowd, not used to being on the losing side, went quiet. In Yorkshire that takes some doing! From an attacking line out Cleckheaton were penalised and Nolan eased the lead to 3-17 with 15 minutes to go. The silence that greeted this coffin nail was deafening.
Cleckheaton had to score next if they were to make any progress. An expertly executed rolling maul from 20m out and sustained pressure from a further attacking line out resulted in the right wing, Lee Queeley, going over in the corner for an unconverted try – 8-17 with 5 minutes to go. A string of penalties, as Lymm desperately defended their line, gave the home side territorial advantage as the match concluded with a consolation unconverted try making it 13-17, and last action of the game.
This was a win based on a solid forward platform, a determined defence and the attacking flair that seemed to have deserted the back division during the wet winter months.
Coach Fletcher was buoyant in the clubhouse. ‘That was a mature performance and I think we have turned the corner. The front five really took them on in the scrum and we identified a weakness, winning seven of their line outs. I am delighted and feel we could have a good run in for the rest of the season if we keep working at it.’
Next Saturday Lymm are at home to Huddersfield YMCA, KO 2.15pm.
Squad: 1) Mike Auden; 2) Adam Bray; 3) Jordan Widdrington; 4) Alex Kahui; 5) Sion Williams (C); 6) Sam Mullarkey; 7) Jake Ashall; 8) Andy Kerr; 9) George Boaden; 10) Rhys Jones; 11) Andy Rowley; 12) Tom Bray; 13) Jake Ecclestone; 14) Cormac Nolan; 15) Joe Knowles; 16) Richard Halford; 17) Aaron Rasheed; 18) Nick Ashton
