Last minute win for Lymm

LYMM Rugby Union secured a last minute 32-29 victory over Waterloo in a nail biting game at Crouchley Lane.
Lymm players were disappointed with their overall performance but deserved great credit for the way in which they bounced back from a mistake-ridden first half to dominate sufficient passages of play to win their third game on the trot.
In almost a repeat of Jonny Wilkinson’s World Cup-winning drop-goal in 2003, Luke Emmitt secured the win and another 5 points, on 80 minutes, with an excellently executed drop-kick from 35 metres out. The kick would not have been possible if it hadn’t been for the skill, patience and determination of Lymm’s pack to manoeuvre the ball into the position in front of Waterloo’s posts. Once again Alex Bennett and Adam Bray led the way with a series of powerful runs that put Waterloo’s defence on the back foot and provided the platform for the backs to exploit. If only the same level of composure had been exhibited throughout the match the winning margin would surely have been much higher.
Waterloo nearly scored in the first minute and went ahead 7 – nil in the second minute when midfield tackles were missed. Lymm responded on 9 minutes, showing their ability to score against any team in the league when ball is retained at the breakdown. An overlap was created down the right when the ball was quickly re-cycled from a forward drive by Bennett, allowing Bray to score the first of his two tries in the corner. Lymm 5; Waterloo 7.
Lymm’s dark side, their ability to concede tries to any team in the league was demonstrated on 18 minutes and again on 35 minutes when defensive lapses let Waterloo in for two tries, one which was disputed for a foot in touch and one which was converted: Lymm 5; Waterloo 19.
In this topsy-turvy game, Waterloo’s defensive frailties were then exposed when a counter attack from a poor up-field kick saw winger Jack Johnstone race in from inside his own half. Skipper Joe Knowles was involved in the build-up play and kicked a great conversion from the touch-line to make it: Lymm 12; Waterloo 19.
Scrum-half Tom Baker muscled his way over the line just before half-time, to narrow the gap to 17 – 19. It was the culmination of a move that would have opened any defence. When Lymm go through the phases, retain possession and release their backs, they score. Half time: Lymm 17; Waterloo 19.
The next time they scored, on 42 minutes, was when they elected to take a scrum instead of a penalty 10 metres out. Some spectators felt the kick should have been taken until they were reminded that few sides can stop Adam Bray when he picks up and drives forward from this distance. Joe Knowles converted with a trick-kick from the deck when the ball fell from the tee. It crept over to put Lymm in the lead for the first time at 24-19.
Arguably the best try of the match was scored when Waterloo skilfully counter-attacked from a kick forward from deep by Lymm. A good conversion from the touchline put Waterloo back in the lead at 24-26.
Luke Emmitt came on and like the week before in Beverley he influenced the outcome of the match. A penalty to waterloo extended their lead to 24 -29 before a forward drive by Luke led to Lymm being awarded a penalty. The kick to the corner , well-executed line-out and collective effort of the forwards saw prop Jordan Widdrington over the line to bring the score level at 29 – 29, until Luke struck the final blow. It is not the first and will not be the last time that Luke saves the day for Lymm. Thankfully he was in the right position at the right time this week and his play will put the selectors in a dilemma for the starting line-up away at West Hartlepool next week.
West Hartlepool was the venue of a tremendous, unexpected, Cup win four seasons ago.
Following West Hartlepool’s defeat against Morley, Lymm will travel with greater confidence this time. Will this be the week they play closer to their full potential to climb to a position in the league that their underlying ability deserves ?

Team: 15 Knowles (c ); 14 Barnes-Smith; 13 Williamson; 12 Bray (T); 11 Johnstone; 10 Roberts; 9 Baker; 8 Bray (A); 7 Ashall; 6 Millachip; 5 Higginson; 4 Bennett; 3 Reay; 2 Allen; 1 Widdrington. Replacements: Ashton for Raey (58 mins); Emmitt for Roberts (64 mins); Millington for Ashall (48 mins).