Lymm win first silverware in 20 years

LYMM RUGBY Union Club secured their first silverware since 1989, beating Wilmslow in the Cheshire Senior Plate Final.
In wet conditions on the neutral ground at New Brighton Lymm were able to recall stalwart Kinsey to 9, with Griffiths on the bench and Butler and Harrison returned from holiday. However George, Ashall and Calderbank were all unavailable.
Wilmslow play a back row dominated game using the thrusts of Danny Jones to get across the gain line. Lymm defended this well and though seldom out of their own half for the first 15 minutes Wilmslow never really looked like scoring.
Indeed it was the boot of Mike Swetman that opened the account, converting a penalty on 18 mins after the big 10 had missed one from 45 metres 3 minutes earlier.
Indeed the game hinged on these vital kicks. In blustery conditions, the Wilmslow 10, McCallum struggled to hit the spot and his misses failed to take account of the Lymm lack of discipline, especially in the second half. He did slot one on 27 minutes after a Lymm offside but missed the conversion when Wilmslow scored a push over try against a 7 man scrum on 38 mins leaving Lymm trailing 3-8 at the break.
Lymm made changes after 45 mins. The dependable Ollie Brown was replaced by Danny Bates and Kinsey removed himself with Chris Griffiths taking the 9 shirt. Could this be the great man’s last game?
Lymm became more organised in the second half and their superior threat in their backs began to shine.
Dave Williamson went over on 58 mins after a lovely weighted ball from Swetman levelling the scores at 8-8. The tide seemed to have turned and then the class moment of the game. John Millington was brought on on 61 minutes and immediately secured turnover ball. Tom Hughes broke on his own 22, chipped the ball to Richard Butler, who, with deft footwork, managed to stay out of touch. His returned pass saw Hughes sprint 40 metres to score. This was his 5th try in this competition, in 3 matches. Swetman missed again.
Wilmslow found their back row game thwarted time after time and when they started to move it wide they found the Lymm defence solid. Rarely did Wilmslow look like scoring and Lymm took final control on 75 when Dave Williamson went over again after a sweeping passing move started by Griffiths and Howson and, yet again the player of the match Swetman timed a perfect pass for the rapid 15 to score. This time Swetman hit the conversion to make it 20-8.
Coach Kinsey reflected “the result was a great way to end a season that has been one of two halves. The latter being outstanding. It was a good platform for us to prepare our promotion challenge next year.”
Lymm do have a healthy platform for next season. Finishing the season with one defeat in 15 and silverware. Players are still welcomed to the club as the club needs to bolster all sides at senior and junior levels. keep an eye out on the website www.lymmrfc.co.uk for details of pre season or contact Richard Boundy, Director of Rugby on 01925 266899.

Team: 1. Ollie Brown (Danny Bates 45) 2 Scott Harrison 3 Keith Broadbent 4. Darius Miksys , 5. Jack Warrington ( Jim Fergusson 50) 6 Ollie Higginson 7 Andy Williamson 8. Mark Sutton 9 Chris Kinsey (c) (Chris Griffiths 45) 10. Jordan Howson 11 Richard Butler (Warren Ayres 70) 12. Tom Hughes 13 Mike Swetman 14 Jack Johnstone 15. Dave Williamson
Other reps: John Mcpartland, Darren Norman.