Billingham 15 – 27 Lymm Report by Jim Knowles
LYMM opened their National League 3 North campaign as last season with a long trip to Billingham but this time hoping for a better outcome than last year’s 24-41 defeat.
The desire to erase that nightmare start was strong and it was immediately evident that the long journey to Teeside had not diminished the visitor’s determination to get off to a flying start.
Lymm kicked off with the advantage of slight slope and wind in their favour. Billingham’s immediate attempts to run the ball out from their own half were met by a wall of determined tacklers. Their frustration yielded the first scrum and the Lymm eight shunted them backwards in impressive fashion. This aspect of the game was one which Lymm dominated throughout and it gave an early platform for the centre combination of Ollie Higginson and Tom Bray to test the home side’s defence to its limits. Several times in the first 10 minutes it seemed that Lymm must score, however a missed penalty kick at goal was the only reward.
Lymm failed to secure their first line out and wasted the attacking opportunity it offered, but despite this setback Lymm prevented Billingham from crossing the half way line with ball in hand. Lymm mounted wave after wave of attacks with both wingers, Giles Dougdale and Mark Wells, almost scoring. The first try came when Jake Ashall, bravely and cleverly stole the ball at a line out to create the momentum for a period of forward dominance with driving mauls and dynamic rucking leading finally to full back, Joe Knowles, running an excellent line going over in the right wing corner for the long awaited first try (0-5).
This reversal jolted Billingham into their best spell of the half giving Lymm a taste of defending close the try line. Again Ashall was prominent securing loose ball at the feet of the Billingham pack. Lymm were then reduced to fourteen men defending a line out, when Alex Kaihu was yellow carded for a technical offence with eight minutes to go before half time. Despite this disadvantage, Lymm retained their scrummaging superiority and the lead to half time.
The second half started with a spirited come back from Billingham and they quickly drew level with a kick to the corner for the winger to collect (5-5). Lymm then went straight back onto the attack knowing that they needed to compensate for a bit of careless play. Again the centres Bray and Higginson were breaking the gain line as they relished a good supply of ball from the forwards. This gave half backs Tom Baker and Rhys Jones time and space to initiate multiple attacking options. Dougdale came into the line from his wing to make a telling run through the midfield but it was the other winger Mark Wells who got in at the corner for a well taken try (5-10).
Richard McEvoy came off the bench onto the right wing to make a significant impact on Lymm’s second half fortunes. He started with a strong run taking play deep into Billingham territory, where again Lymm exerted scrum pressure. Adam Bray from Number 8, set up a driving maul and Rhys Jones got over for the try and McEvoy conversion (5-17).
Billingham responded quickly giving their winger enough room to sprint over in the corner (10-17). Lymm then endured a lengthy spell of pressure defending almost on the try line but Adam Bray led the breakout and Tom Baker made a good kick to touch to ease the pressure.
Lymm then got back their dominance and almost scored when Dougdale’s long break heading to finish under the posts was stopped by a desperate, fingertip, ankle tap. Another attack going right was then switched left giving Zak Lythgoe the opportunity to show that there is more to his game, as a second rower, than pushing and shoving.
Finding himself in the outside centre position he made the ” the pass of the day” long and wide to give Joe Knowles a run in at the corner and a canter to score under the posts for his second try and another conversion by McEvoy (10-24).
Once again Billingham responded with a try (15-24) but McEvoy sealed victory with a final penalty to leave Lymm worthy victors (15-27), a fact generously acknowledged by the home supporters. On this evidence Lymm should feel confident as they take on newly promoted Ilkley in their home game at Beechwood next Saturday.
Lymm coach, Adam Fletcher reflected after the game that it was a win founded on the hard work and pre-season commitment of the whole squad and his assistant coaches. Confirming his belief that it was a team effort, he declined to name any player for special praise. Next Saturday Lymm are at home to newly promoted Ikley, KO 3pm.
Picture shows first team pictured before kick off at Billingham
Team: 1) Jordan Widdrington; 2) Ross White; 3) Nick Ashton; 4) Alex Kahui; 5) Zak Lythgoe; 6) Joe McGrail; 7) Jake Ashall; 8) Adam Fletcher (C); 9) Tom Baker; 10) Rhys Jones; 11) Mark Wells; 12) Oli Higginson; 13) Tom Bray; 14) Giles Dougdale; 15) Joe Knowles; SUBS: 16) Dan Horton; 17) Aaron Rasheed; 18) Richard McEvoy
