Lymm go top!

LYMM Rugby Union Club went to the top of North 1 West for the first time in many years despite a patchy performance against Vale of Lune.
A poor first half was followed by some outstanding back play as the visitors were blown away back up the M6.
Lymm selected Andy Roberts at 10 in place of holidaying, utility player Alex Gluth and cumbrian wing Joe Nattrass made his first team debut.
Sion Williams returned in place of the injured Miksys and Andy Williamson was benched after a summer of injury.
Lymm have not started many games well this season and often leak points in the early stages. It was almost a surprise when scrum half Chris Griffiths exploited space and throwing an outrageous dummy went over on 57 seconds to make it 5-0.
On 5 Sion Williams was adjudged to be offside and the Vale kicker, Hodder took the points to 5-3.Knowles had the chance to do the same but missed a tough kick on 11 mins.
With Lymm struggling to obtain possession, especially at the line out, first phase seemed to be the only way they would be able to release the pacey backs.
On 24 mins a lovely weighted pass from fly half Roberts allowed the flying Williamson to lose 3 defenders and Knowles went over. Conversion missed again making it 10-3.
An innocuous challenge in their own dead ball area resulted in the Vale 10 being removed by ambulance with a nasty leg injury. The 10 min delay seemed to fire up the visitors as they immediately scored. A decent up and under and chase, along with pantomime defending by Lymm, allowed winger Richards in. Converted the score stood out at 10-10. A Swetman penalty on the stroke of half time was missed.
The restart signalled the worst six mins of the season for Lymm. With Coach Kinsey’s words still ringing in their ears Lymm failed with the restart kick, then threw possession away in their own 22, resulting in the Vale centre, Owen, scoring to give the visitors the lead at 10-15.
With Lymm now without the downhill advantage it was now a question of whether they would take their chance against a well drilled and combative Vale.
It was important that Lymm notched the next points and Ollie Higginson went over on 49 mins after a pick and go at the base of the scrum to level at 15-15.
Vale took the lead again with a Hodder penalty from a full 45 metres and then it was Swetman’s turn. A try on 54 for the big centre charging through after great work from Jake Ashall and Andy Roberts. Conversion missed again left Lymm with a slender lead at 20-18. Swetman went over again .Lymm won the Vale line out and a lovely pass from Roberts allowed the 12 to go over again on 63. Swetman converted to make it 27-18.
Swetman was then the provider offloading in contact, after more good work by Roberts, to allow Joe Knowles to round the Vale defence to score in the corner to finish the scoring at 32-18.
Man of the match Ashall, who had spent most of the season in the seconds, felt the win showed “the real strength in depth we have in the squad and this will be important as we push for promotion.”
Captain Fletcher praised the backs. “Some great first phase tries but once again our place kicking meant the score was probably closer than it should have been.”
Coach Kinsey, having played for 3 mins and out of breath, was unavailable for comment Director of Rugby, Boundy was reflective. “A year ago both the firsts and seconds were bottom of their respective leagues. Now they are top. Credit to the lads. The firsts came off the pitch feeling as if the performance was poor but they were very comfortable winners and showed in patches what they are capable of.”
Lymm travel to Altrincham Kersal on Saturday for a big top of the league showdown. Injuries may have taken their toll and it remains to be seen how Kinsey can shuffle his resources for this important game.
Team: 1. Ollie Brown 2. Scott Harrison, 3.Jack Warrington 4. Sion Williams, 5. Lee Pickles 6. Ian Cullinane, 7. Jake Ashall (Andy Williamson 65), 8 Ollie Higginson 9. Chris Griffiths, 10 Andy Roberts (Chris Kinsey 81), 11. Joe Nattrass, 12. Adam Fletcher (Capt), 13 Mike Swetman, 14. Dave Williamson 15. Joe Knowles. Rep Keith Broadbent.