Rearranged game brings Lymm victory

LYMM made the most of their hastily re-arranged match against Rossendale in this National Div 3 North league match with a 21-15 victory.
Due to be played at Rossendale the Lancashire club rang mid-week to say their very appropriately named Marl Pits ground was totally unplayable and could the match be played on Lymm’s billiard table, well drained, pitch. With no other commitments agreement was quickly reached and the sub-Pennine side duly travelled south.
Hopefully word of the rescheduling had got around and no-one set off for Rossendale but instead headed to Beechwood where the welcome flag hung limply around the flagpole and a darkening sky overhead.
With injury’s sidelining flankers Sam Mullarkey and Club Captain Ollie Higginson plus other absentees it was a much changed side from the previous week’s victory with Tom Baker coming in at 9 and debuts for young James Yates in the second row plus Nathan Fernyhough benching as a rolling replacement, a good sign of up and coming 2nd team players making their way upwards. So how would Lymm fare against the higher placed Rossendale side and their menacingly strong pack ?
An early deft break by centre Knowles and a firm hand-off gave the opportunity for full back Williamson to burst through, gather the pass and go over some 15m in from the right, 45 seconds 5-0, but sadly the conversion went wide. On the 19 minute mark ‘dale were held up over the line and from the resultant 5m scrum their No.8 picked up and forced his way over on the blind side 15m in from the left with a successful conversion following, 5-7. A couple of minutes later the strength and commitment of the Lymm pack forced ‘dale back with impressive prop Brotherton driving over for a well deserved try, 10-7, the conversion attempt being missed.
Lymm’s season long aptitude in the penalty concession stakes was again to the fore, mainly for offside, but fortunately mostly not in positions from where the visitors could capitalise although on the half hour ‘dale found themselves within range and the score was levelled. ‘Dale continued to battle strongly, particularly in the forward department, but obtaining clean ball was at a premium resulting in a starved back line whose resultant somewhat frantic breaks were broken down by Lymm’s resolute and well organised defence.
‘Dale continued to struggle against mounting Lymm pressure and losing a man to a yellow card for persistent infringements only increased their problems and wing Joe Nattrass crossed the line for Lymm but it was adjudged a double movement. Astute field kicking, particularly from Tom Bray, led to more pressure on the ‘dale defence and it was no surprise when Tom popped up on the right to cross for a 3rd Lymm try, 15-10. Coming up to the break continued Lymm forward pressure kept ‘dale on the back foot in their own half and not releasing in the tackle in front of the posts led to an easy penalty and Lymm turning round 18-10.
Half time saw the forecast rain materialise and a significant reduction of daylight and the home supporters looking forward to a 4th try with the bonus point to go with it. The second half commenced much as the first had finished, Lymm pressurising Rossendale whose forwards in particular mounted a resolute defence but the struggle led to a ‘dale yellow card dismissal for persistent infringement. The deteriorating conditions and a wet ball were hardly conducive to flowing rugby and so the dogged and evenly balanced struggle continued. Back to 15 men ‘dale increased the pressure and a from a quick tap penalty wide on the right the line was crossed and the score narrowed to a 3 point margin at 18-15. Back with Lymm pressurising ‘dale into not rolling away in the tackle gave the home side a straightforward penalty chance on the left which young Cormack Nolan duly put over, 21-15, but still only a score in it. With 15 minutes left ‘dale were back on their line in possession under intense pressure when Lymm’s outstanding open side flanker, Oakes, ripped the ball out and dived over a pile of bodies to ground it. The referee was unconvinced and somehow contrived to award a free kick to the visitors enabling them to clear their line.
‘Dale stepped up their game to obtain the winning points and now it was Lymm being forced back under intense pressure with much fingernail chewing amongst the home supporters. With 8 minutes left influential No. 8 Adam Bray departed the field under a yellow card for use of a forearm in the ruck. ‘Dale saw their opportunity and it was only determined solid defence work by the remaining 14 Lymm men that saw the six point margin maintained to the final whistle.
The final 21-15 score accurately reflected the narrow difference between two determined sides in a continuously seesawing game. Denying Lymm a 4th try, and consequent bonus point, saw the steely nature of the ‘dale defence. For the home side Oakes was outstanding throughout, and the two props, Brotherton and Ashton, combining with hooker Allen formed an impregnable front row.
After several indifferent performances a renewed spirit was seen in the side with 18 players fully committed to the cause. A blank week now follows with Lymm again at home on 8 Dec, West Hartlepool being the visitors.
Team: Williamson, Nattrass, Knowles, Delaney, Nolan, T. Bray, Baker, Brotherton, Allen, Ashton, Williams, Yates, Darbyshire, Oakes, A. Bray, Widdrington, Fernyhough, Isherwood