LYMM Rugby Union made the long journey to Darlington to see if they could continue their outstanding away form at the higher level but ended up on the receiving end of a 41-20 defeat.
The Cheshire team, buoyed by two wins in the league, was unfortunate to be missing some key players, and when former captain Fletcher pulled up after 15 minutes the omens were looking bad. The fact that when Fletcher was replaced by Kinsey they were already 15-0 down highlighted the difficult afternoon ahead.
If coach Kinsey was looking to identify the main differences between level 5 and level 6 one word at the top of the list would be intensity. The hosts notched 4 tries in 34 minutes from two midfield errors andtwo missed tackles. One assumes Lymm will be punished by all in this league if that were to reoccur.
To be fair to the visitors they showed massive character in the second half. Darlington scored again on 43 to make the score 34-6 and a possible cricket score was likely when first Oakes and then man of the match Widdrington were binned. They held out with 13 men for 5 minutes and then, with 14, scored two tries. Chris Griffiths, having moved to the wing to accommodate Kinsey, going over after great work from Oakes and then a penalty try on 63. At 34-20 it seemed a bonus point was a realistic target but after a 15 minute injury delay the momentum shifted back to the home team as they clinically killed the game off.
Kinsey stated the obvious: “We cant afford to not close down space at this level. We paid the price in the first half for a poor defensive structure which left us with too much to do.”
Lymm now entertain league leaders Chester on Saturday. Kick off 3pm. Returning players and a soaring 2nd team will surely strengthen Kinsey’s options.
15 Dave Williamson 14 Jack Johnstone 13 Adam Fletcher 12 Mike Swetman 11 Andy Rowley 10 Andy Roberts 9 Chris Griffiths 1 Keith Broadbent 2 Tim Oakes C 3 Jordan Widdrington 4 Mark Sutton 5 Sion Williams 6 Ollie Higginson 7 Sam Mullarkey 8 Lee Pickles 16 Chris Kinsey 17 Jake Ashall 18 Danny Bates
