Lymm defeated by Champions

LYMM, comfortable in mid table, travelled to Darlington Mowden Park (DMP) who were already assured of being champions of National League 3 North.
Lymm also carried the distinction of being only one of three teams to have beaten the champions.
Lymm’s early play brought some admiration from DMP’s spectators for their good ball retention and handling, with No.8 Adam Bray driving close to the line. DMP went ahead when Ollie Higginson was receiving attention for a blood injury.
Two tries were conceded to the chip and chase tactics which were a successful feature of DMP’s play. Lymm
countered with a succession of 5m scrums and driving mauls with Bray and Fletcher threatening the DMP line and reward came when a beak and offload by centre Tom Bray put fullback Joe Knowles in at the corner (14 – 5). DMP responded with some top class attacking moves culminating in a driving maul to the line for a half time 21 – 5 lead.
Matt Connolly for Adam Fletcher and Jack Johnstone for Rich McEvoy were the half time replacements, but they were unable to prevent the DMP right wing completing his try hat trick with a solo double chip and catch. A rout now seemed possible when the DMP South African scrum half made a searing break to give the winger his fourth try. Flamboyant handling brought DMP their final score in a manner worthy of champions (42 – 5).
Nick Walcott replaced Matt Barnes-Smith on the right wing to give the American another deserved senior game. Lymm forwards competed well throughout and won a ball against DMP feed and with this as a spur Jake Ashall, Adam Bray and Matt Connolly tested DMP defences. Reward came when skipper Joe Knowles got an interception and ran well from 40 yards to score in the corner (42 – 10) Lymm, with 10 minutes to go, we’re reduced to 14 men when Matt Connolly sustained an ankle injury. Despite this handicap Lymm continued to attack and the team spirit was epitomised by a battered and bloodied Ollie Higginson stealing a DMP line-out.
In these final stages veteran Mark Sutton playing out of position in the second row was still outstanding. The heroic efforts of the pack were rewarded when hooker Peter Allen made a break to give Joe Knowles his hat trick try (42 – 15).
Player coach Chris Kinsey despite being very tired generously praised DMP as worthy champions of a very competitive league but said he was proud of his boys for their spirited display.