HISTORY repeated itself 40 years on as Lymm toppled Birkenhead Park in the 1st round of the Cheshire Cup.
In March 1971, towards the end of the club’s 10th full season, Lymm toppled the mighty Birkenhead Park in the semi-final of the Cheshire Cup at ‘Beechwood’.
The score was 12-9; a try and three penalty goals to a try and two penalty goals, (A try was worth 3pts in 1971).
Forty years later, this first round Cheshire Cup victory was their first at home against Park since that 1971 match. There were many similarities to that win on Saturday; Park with its powerful pack, versus Lymm with its agile pack and speedy back line.
The Lymm team sheet featured a number of players making their 1st XV debuts; former colts Michael Floyd, Adam Fergusson, Richard McEvoy, Piers Crozier, plus Peter Allen and Nick Ashton. With many regulars being unavailable, there will be some serious competition for places as the season begins.
With some heavy downpours early in the game, the Park pack tested the Lymm defence in the first 10 minutes. Lymm held their line and broke out with their forwards taking the ball down to the visitors 22, a Joe Knowles’ penalty being their reward after 18 minutes of play. (3-0). Lymm now continued to keep Park on the back foot with forwards Alex Bennett, Scott Harrison and Adam Bray making strong runs. Following a 5m attacking scrum, scrum half Chris Kinsey broke right to put Richard McEvoy over for an unconverted try in the corner, with two defenders hanging on to him. (8-0)
Centre, Adam Fergusson made some telling breaks as Lymm continued their assault and three more tries went begging as the last pass went to ground, leaving the score 8-0 at the break.
From the restart, centre James Boaden sliced through the Park line, taking the ball up to the 5m line but a knock on allowed Park to clear their line. Park were still very much in the game, counter attacking well, with their forwards driving up the middle. Their efforts were rewarded when after 6mins of the half, a quick tap penalty caught the home side napping and they scored an unconverted try out on the left. (8-5)
The visitors now had the best of the next 15mins but Lymm’s defence was good. A turnover on the halfway line resulted in Lymm’s second try by McEvoy. This was an excellent solo effort by the winger, who followed a neat chip through, collecting the ball from under the full backs nose to score and Knowles added the conversion. (15-5)
Lymm made a number of changes as did Park and the game was by no means over. With 10mins to go they worked the ball up the field for a 5m lineout on the right. This is the strongest part of their game, as Lymm found out last season in the return game at Park, when three or four Park tries came from such set pieces. Catch , drive and peel – try and an excellent conversion. Game on. (15-12)
So, like the 1971 semi-final, Lymm managed to hang on for the last 10mins to earn a place in the 2nd round, which will be played in November. Interestingly, three players who played in that match 40 years ago were present on Saturday: Tony Wright and Mike Adams who played for Lymm and Steve Rule who played for Birkenhead Park. However, Steve was very pleased with today’s result, he is now doing an excellent job as Lymm’s Director of Rugby.
Next Saturday Lymm start their National League 3 North programme, at home to Bradford & Bingley – KO 3pm.
Lymm :- 15) Matthew Barnes-Smith; 14) Michael Floyd; 13) James Boaden; 12) Adam Fergusson; 11) Richard McEvoy; 10) Joe Knowles; 9) Chris Kinsey; 8) Adam Bray; 7) Peter Millachip; 6) Ollie Higginson; 5) Alex Bennett; 4 Sion Williams; 3) Nick Ashton; 2) Peter Allen; 1) Scott Harrison: Replacements: Luke Emmitt 60mins; Andy Roberts 50mins; John Millington 60mins; Piers Crozier 60mins
