Lymm maintain league lead

LYMM Rugby Union took the points in a hard fought win over league new comers Burnage to maintain their place at the top of the league.
The hosts played an old fashioned but effective game of forward domination and in wet conditions this was a real test of Lymm’s title credentials.
With key players missing in the scrum and the makeshift second row, consisting of two back rowers, there was a nervous feeling in the pre match warm up.
Coach Kinsey had recalled talisman, Hughes to 13, shifting player of the season Williamson to the wing. Ollie Brown moved to hooker and warhorse Broadbent was asked to provide 80 mins at tight head. Interestingly Captain Fletcher opted to play at six to provide some power at the breakdown.
Scrappy early exchanges, as the teams assessed the conditions, led to neither side building any momentum. A silly penalty on 12 mins led to the inevitable secondary offence of Lymm not being 10 metres back .The Burnage nine burrowed over making it 5-0 to the home side.
Lymm refused to change their ultimate game plan, looking to move the ball through their backs to the pacey wingers. This policy paid dividends as an arm wrestle in contact would surely have played into Burnage’s hands. A superb try on 18 mins from Joe Knowles encapsulates the Lymm philosophy. Swetman broke the tackle in midfield and released man of the match Johnstone, who sprinted past his defending winger, found Knowles who flew over to level the scores.
Similarly on 33 mins a thundering Hughes, “match winning “ tackle in midfield led to turnover ball for Lymm. The impressive 9 Griffiths dashed away from the ruck and found Johnstone who went over to make it 10-5.
On 40 mins more threat from the right wing as Lymm notched a try of the season contender. Johnstone chipped over the defence, collected the ball and outrageously offloaded to Knowles. His perfect pass found Hughes who scored to make it 15-5 at the break.
A Burnage try on 47 from an inevitable rolling maul, converted made the score 12-15 and Lymm’s try line defence was tested time and again. It held out and Lymm should have increased the lead on 64 but a Knowles penalty went wide.
Burnage will beat most teams in these conditions and are surely better than mid table. Lymm on the other hand can reflect on two wins against two forward dominant sides in successive weeks. Yes they have conceded two tries from rolling mauls but have also scored five outstanding tries from the backs in trying conditions.
Coach Kinsey was waxing lyrical: “They say mud is good for the complexion so there were some belting looking lads after 80 mins and three belting tries. There is no substitute for pace and we have it in abundance.”
Lymm travel again this Saturday with a visit to Leigh. This game has been rescheduled to allow the pitch at Crouchley Lane to be prepared for the England Northern Academies V Australia U18s, being played on December 9 at 2pm. Tickets are available for this opportunity to see the stars of the future, priced at £5 per adult or £2 for U18s.
Phone Director of Rugby Richard Boundy for details on 07709 323107.
Lymm. 15 Knowles 14 Williamson , 13 Hughes 12 Swetman ,11 Johnstone ,10 Roberts ,9 Griffiths 1 Cox 2 Brown 3 Broadbent ,4 Pickles ,5 Higginson ,6 Fletcher C ,7 Ashall 8 Sutton