LYMM Rugby Union succumbed to another defeat on their travels in a curate’s egg of a performance against fellow strugglers Penrith.
Lymm still have their fate in their own hands, knowing that 3 wins from their remaining 8 games will surely be sufficient to stay at this level. If they play like they did in the second half they will be safe. If they play like they did in the first half then who knows?
The game hinged on three massive incidents. On 18 minutes Adam Bray scored a perfectly good try, only to be adjudged to be held up. At 14-0 down that would have had a massive impact on the game. Also, involving Bray, an unlucky interception on 50 minutes at 14-12, after Lymm had dominated the opening minutes of the second half, enabled Penrith to move further ahead. On the kick off restart Penrith scored within 30 seconds. A poor restart from Lymm was returned at pace and the score was 28- 12 and Penrith had only been in the Lymm half twice in the second half.
Tries from Tom Darbyshire, Ollie Higginson and a patient, well worked move allowed Jack Johnstone to score suggested Lymm could take all the points but the final try, which would have given them 2 losing bonus points was allusive.
Special mention to Jake Ashall who’s man of the match performance was simply stunning. Turn over after turnover gave Lymm the ball but the possession was never turned into points.
Ashall reflected on a poor team performance in the first half : “We gave them the game by making too many errors” and Coach Kinsey agreed “Periods of quick and intense rugby were not enough to compensate for a first half that was our worst of the season. Players need to take a good look at themselves.”
Alex Bennett saw some positives in the second half saying: “We are the masters of our own downfall and success. After an appalling first half we regrouped and showed some great spirit to keep the game a contest. Desire always go some way in deciding the victor and you cant turn up at half time in this league. The boys will be determined to rectify this next weekend.”
Lymm travel, again, to Sandal, in another must win game this Saturday.
15 Joe Knowles 14 Luke Emmitt 13 Dave Williamson 12 Adam Fletcher 11 Jack Johnstone 10 Andy Roberts 9 Chris Kinsey 1 Scott Harrison 2 Tim Oakes 3 Jordan Widdrington 4 Tom Darbyshire 5 Darius Miksys 6 Ollie Higginson 7 Jake Ashall 8 Adam Bray 16 Mark Sutton 17 Alex Bennett 18 Peter Millachip.
