Lymm land the points

HAVING beaten title challengers Northwich the week before Vale were looking for another scalp to scupper championship hopefuls Lymm, who knew it would be a battle, fully aware that the hosts had strengthened their team in a bid to avoid the drop.
The days of rotation are over with coach Kinsey replacing the ailing Swetman with Butler and shuffling the centres. Injury to loose head Brown would bring veteran Broadbent back and starlet Mullarkey got a start at 7 in place of the unavailable Cullinane.
The game hinged on two charge downs. Lymm took the lead on 5 mins when Tom Hughes took a pass from the excellent Andy Roberts, who managed to hold onto a charge down in the Vale 22. Great composure from the 10. Knowles failed with the conversion, himself the victim of a charge down.
The kicker and league’s top points scorer had little trouble on 22 with a penalty making 8-0 to Lymm.
On 31 a Scott Harrison line out throw went long. The ever present Stringer, having the better of the tussle with the Vale 9 ,collected and released Roberts for another score.
The half finished with Vale in the ascendancy. A breathtaking Tom Hughes turnover kept Vale off the score board at the whistle making it 0-15 at the break.
Vale started brightly and they fully deserved their try on 50 and on 58 mins young pup Mullarkey was harshly adjudged to be holding on and Vale had a difficult penalty, 40 metres out. It missed. Pressure was on Lymm further 90 seconds later when Broadbent was sin binned and the penalty was successful.
On came Miksys for only his second ever outing at 3 and immediately impressed.
With the feeling that Lymm could absorb everything Vale had the tide turned and on 70 another poor kick sealed the home side’s fate. Knowles had a long penalty chance, which fell 10 metres short. The Vale 9 attempted to clear his lines but failed. Swetman collecting the ball on the half way line. A long pass found Knowles who scythed through the Vale defence and released Higginson who drew a defender and joint top try scorer Williamson went over to make it 20-8.
On the stroke of time Hughes charged down another defensive kick and man of the match Roberts went over to complete the scoring at 25-8.
With Northwich postponed Lymm are 6 points clear with 7 games remaining. There was a feeling that this was a huge win against a good side. Lymm now have 5 home games and they entertain perennial strugglers Blackburn next Saturday.
Kinsey has a strong squad to choose from next Saturday with new signings Andy Davies and Tim Oakes both in contention along with skipper Fletcher.
Team: 1.Danny Bates 2 Scott Harrison 3 Keith Broadbent 4. Ollie Higginson, 5. Lee Pickles 6 Jake Ashall 7 Sam Mullarkey 8. Mark Sutton 9 Luke Stringer 10. Andy Roberts 11 Richard Butler 12 Tom Hughes 13 Dave Williamson 14 Jack Johnstone 15. Joe Knowles C