LYMM Rugby Union’s recent good run of winning form came to an end as they went down 14-11 on Rossendale’s notorious pitch despite taking the lead in the 78th minute.
After 78 minutes Lymm, playing up the hill, took the lead with a try by scrum half Tom Baker.
This followed some excellent forward play, as Lymm made a rare visit into the home 22. The conversion was missed but with only minutes left, Lymm were 11-7 up.
The final minutes of the game were reminiscent of the match at West Hartlepool. The referee played 9 minutes of injury time, with Lymm desperately defending in their 5m area. Sadly, unlike at West Hartlepool, Rossendale’s South African player/coach, lock Tim Fourie, forced his way over for a try, converted by Will Sharratt to end the match.
During the first half Lymm did start get on top with good drives by forwards Adam Bray and Scott Harrison. Joe Knowles broke through into the home 22 but the pass went to ground. Lymm should have made more of this half playing down the hill, plus Rossendale were down to 14 men when their No4, Pat Pole was yellow carded for a high tackle after 18 minutes. Then just before half-time he was red carded for a second offence, a deliberate knock on as Lymm attacked the home line. Luke Emmitt kicked the Penalty making it 7-6 at the break
Playing against 14 men in the 2nd half, Lymm supporters’ hopes were high but the slope was quite significant and worth an extra man to the hosts. To be fair to Rossendale, they territorially dominated the 2nd half and their 7 man scrum still gave Lymm problems.
After 44mins, Ollie Higginson made a telling break from a lineout in the Lymm half, with supporting Luke Emmitt then putting a kick up to the home 22. Rossendale recovered possession due to Lymm handling errors and took the ball back up to Lymm’s 5m line. For 20 minutes they kept play in the Lymm half. Lymm’s defence was excellent but continuing Rossendale pressure resulted in them being awarded a penalty, the kick just going wide.
Lymm had made some positional changes, bringing on Andy Roberts at No10 and Alex Reay at prop. Then came Tom Baker’s try to put Lymm in front. (7-11). However, the clock was still ticking and in the final seconds of injury time, Rossendale finally breached the Lymm defence wall and the whistle blew.
It was a hard, close contest, which could have gone either way. Other results went Lymm’s way, a losing bonus point, together with the heavy defeat of Birkenhead Park sees them up to 4th place. Next week they are at home to 10th place Burnage – KO 3pm.
Other Lymm results:
Bateman BMW Premier League: Stockport 2nds 68 – Lymm 2nds 15;
University of Salford Div 3 South: Lymm 3rds 55 – Winnington Park 2nds 17;
University of Salford Div 5 South: Bowdon 4ths 5 – Lymm 4ths 87.
Team:- 15) David Williamson; 14) Matthew Barnes-Smith; 13) Luke Emmitt; 12) Tom Bray; 11) Jack Johnstone; 10) Joe Knowles (C); 9) Tom Baker; 8) Adam Bray; 7) Jake Ashall; 6) Peter Millachip; 5) Ollie Higginson; 4) Piers Crozier; 3) Scott Harrison; 2) Peter Allen; 1) Jordan Widdrington: Replacements: Andy Roberts (69mins); Alex Reay (59mins); Matt Connolly
