Lymm take a step nearer safety

LYMM Rugby Union took a step nearer safety after notching their third successive away win in comfortable fashion against a weak Rochdale side destined for relegation for several weeks.
A further 5 points will take Lymm to almost guaranteed safety and with all the teams below them playing each other the Cheshire team can surely look forward to another season at this level.
Kinsey kept faith with the same back line as the previous week. Captain Oakes was rested, with Harrison recalled. Alex Bennett, returning from England Legends duty, made his first start , at 5 , since leaving Brive in 1978. This allowed Hogginson to move to 8 and old timer Sutton was rested.
Rochdale were spirited but their injury ravaged side had no answer to the pace and defensive prowess in the Lymm backs, along with the carrying skills of man of the match Darbyshire and Bennett.
Lymm took the lead with a well taken Emmitt penalty on 16 and Darbyshire went over after a well worked catch and drive on 22. Knowles soared through non existent midfield defence on 28 and Lymm led 15-0 at half time.
Knowles finished off a Tom Bray interception on 43 and then Lymm had 3 or 4 opportunities to add to the total. Handling errors and poor decision preventing further tries from Boaden and Johnstone.
Riddle scored on 62 to temporarily halt the home fans from their non stop whingeing and for a few awkward moments Lymm’s lack of cutting edge and ruthlessness seemed to be allowing Rochdale back into the game. However 2 tries from paceman Williamson secured the win and bonus points.
Bennett, barely able to stand after 60 mins off rugby, was pleased saying: “We are developing so many different facets to our game and the most pleasing was the desire to keep playing the entire 80 mins. We treated Rochdale with the respect they deserved and delivered the win and bonus point.”
Meanwhile Lymm seconds, after a heroic cup victory in midweek, came back to earth with a thud, losing heavily to Sedgely Park. However Lymm thirds secured promotion with a 64 -26 demolition of Crewe.
This Saturday all three teams are at home. seconds and thirds kick off at 2pm while the first team have an attractive fixture against Darlington.
15 Dave Williamson 14 Luke Emmitt 13 Tom Bray 12 James Boaden 11 Jack Johnstone 10 Joe Knowles 9 Chris Kinsey 1 Scott Harrison 2 Adam Bray 3 Jordan Widdrington 4 Tom Darbyshire 5 Alex Bennett 6 Peter Millachip 7 Jake Ashall 8 Ollie Higginson 16 John Millington 17 Andy Roberts 18 Tim Oakes