DESPITE their longest journey of the season to North Shields to play newly promoted Percy Park in National Three North, Lymm made an impressive start before going down 17-10.
Park were confined to their own half for most of the first twenty minutes. Their kicks to clear their lines were well fielded by fullback Dave Williamson whose strong runs kept Lymm on the attack.
A glimpse of Park’s own attacking potential came when Mike Stephenson, of former Premiership club Leeds, broke the mostly solid Lymm defence. Stealing a Park line out, a strong run from Tom Darbyshire put Lymm back on the attack.
Another rare spark of Park pressure resulted in a penalty try awarded for a deliberate knock on by Lymm to prevent aPark score. (7-0). This reversal, against the run of play was followed by Lymm losing possession at a line out where previously they had been dominant leading to Park’s second try near the posts. (14-0) .
Skipper Oli Higginson inspired a Lymm fight back with a try resulting from combined inter passing of both backs and forwards but the conversion attempt failed leaving Park with a frail 14-5 half time lead.
This was not a fair reflection of Lymm’s possession, territory and patient phases of attacking play. Lymm started the second half with telling breaks from Adam Bray and Sam Mullarkey in a sustained series of attacks. This culminated in Oli Giles finally driving over for a well deserved try, but again the conversion failed (14-10).
Lymm at this stage looked the better side but Park responded by improving at the scrums and inexplicably Lymm’s line out play became less assured allowing Park more possession. It was however, an infringement by Lymm during a promising attack which gave Park a penalty gratefully converted (17-10). Lymm’s numerous final attempts to level the game were frustrated by handling errors caused by over anxiety and desperation but the final whistle came as a great relief for the increasingly worried Park supporters.
Coach Chris Kinsey said: “We are a growing force in this league and if we continue our progress the wins will come”.
Forward coach Peter Allen confirmed this view, adding that the forwards are moulding into a strong and cohesive unit.
Optimism undimmed despite loss
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
