Lymm romp to eight try win

LYMM Rugby Union got back to winning ways as they romped to an eight try victory over Altrincham Kersal at the weekend.
What a difference a week and Jack Johnson make ! If only weddings took place on a Friday photographer Jack would be free every week to run rings round most of the opposition and link up with skipper Joe Knowles to score the type of tries only he can set up and score. It was Joe’s turn this week. He scored two tries, kicked four conversions and a penalty and continued to lead the team by example.
Alex Bennett, around whom most of the forward play revolves, put in another impressive performance, off-loading to Adam Bray at the front of a line-out after only five minutes to put in Scott Harrison to score in the corner. (L5; AK 0). Lymm were playing with pace and confidence and were much sharper all round than AK. Cheshire player Tom Bray, moved to inside centre and was much more influential in both attack and defence. On 15 minutes he popped the ball inside to Jake Ashall, running a great line to score under the posts, Knowles converting to make it: L 12; AL 0.
The best move of the first half saw Oli Higginson make a centre-like break up the middle, setting up Andy Roberts who was caught just short of line before skilfully off-loading to scrum-half Tom Baker, who dived over the line on 28 minutes. Knowles converted to make it (L 19; AK 0.)
It looked as though this move was going to be bettered when Tom Bray made another good run up the pitch, feeding Tom Baker on his inside to set up what appeared to be a certain try. However, a loose pass in mid-field was gathered by AK’s backs, who didn’t have to work too hard, with a four on one overlap, to put in their No. 10 under the posts. The try was converted to make the half time score: (L19; AK 7.)
Six minutes into the second half Knowles kicked an excellent, albeit wind-assisted penalty from the touch-line, before linking up with Jack Johnson on 54 minutes to score the first of his two tries. Adam Bray had made ground from the base of a scrum 10 metres out to allow Scott Harrison to break the defensive line and set up the backs. Knowles converted his own try to make it: (L 29; AK 7.)
Millington replaced Millachip, who had put in his usual shift, stopping AK’s runners in their tracks before Knowles scored his second, but this time unconverted, try. Joe might disagree, but this one was fortunate in that his own, poor, kick forward was kicked straight back into his hands, allowing him to scamper down the wing and dive over in the corner. (L 34; AK 7).
At this point AK seemed completely demoralised. They could do little to repel the Lymm attacks. Tremendous inter-passing, support play and Warrington Rugby League standard off-loading led to two tries by Harrison (66 minutes) and Tom Bray (71 minutes). One was converted by Knowles to bring his points tally to 21 for the match (L 46; AK 7).
AK did make one good break in mid-field, but a great turn-over by Ashall and Boaden relieved the pressure on Lymm’s line. It was then Jack Johnson’s turn to make another great, 50 metre run up-field, out-flanking AK’s defence to put in Jake Ashall for his second try. (L 51; AK 7).
Lymm conceded a second try on 80 minutes, when a missed tackle allowed AK to go over under the posts. The conversion was missed. This was Lymm’s day. Head coach, Kinsey, said: “We played with more hunger and efficiency than in previous weeks, which must be taken away to Beverley if we are to build on today’s success”.
Team: 15 Knowles, 14 Barnes-Smith, 13 Boaden, 12 Bray (T), 11 Johnson, 10 Roberts, 9 Baker, 8 Bray (A), 7 Ashall, 6 Millachip, 5 Higginson, 4 Bennett, 3 Widdrington, 2 Allen, 1 Harrison. Replacements: Raey for Widdrington (52 mins); Millington for Millachip (54 mins); Emmitt for Roberts (68 mins).