Lymm 25 Huddersfield YMCA 13 Report by Neil Allen
LYMM held off a spirited performance by relegation threatened Huddersfield YMCA to record a 25-13 victory and cement third spot in the league table.
The hard work of the ground staff and volunteers paid off as the pitch passed its morning inspection and the game was declared on.
Lymm were chomping at the bit to continue their run of form, which had seen them reach third place in the League.
Huddersfield YMCA rooted near the bottom of the league needed points to avoid the threat of relegation; a real top versus bottom tussle was on the cards and that’s how it turned out.
Lymm’s recent form has been built on the basis of coming out of the blocks quickly and blitzing teams with early scores.
This game was no different, after a scrappy start Lymm woke up and the backs began to go through their repertoire led by the ever improving Richard Halford in the centre. On ten minutes Halford gained possession on the half-way line, sold an outrageous ‘show and go’ and galloped over for a try. 5-minutes later saw an even better score with forwards and backs combining with precision and pace for Halford to put Richard McEvoy over in the corner. With the try converted, after 15 minutes Lymm were 12-0 up.
The crowd were now waiting for Lymm to secure the bonus point before half-time.
However Lymm became complacent and tried to play a little too much rugby, leading to a careless passage of play, which slowly let Huddersfield back in the game. Lymm now couldn’t keep hold of the ball and with the penalty count rising Huddersfield began to chip away taking the score to 12-6. On 35 minutes things got worse for Lymm as Huddersfield went over for a well deserved try to take the lead at 13-12. Huddersfield where now very much ‘up for it’ and scrapping for their lives.
Lymm finished the half with a penalty to re-take the lead but it had been a far from convincing end to the half and Huddersfield where clearly now on-top and sensing the opportunity for vital points in their relegation fight.
The half-time team talks would be crucial but neither team seemed to receive the Churchillian overtures they were looking for as the half meandered slowly along in lacklustre fashion, with neither side able to hold onto the ball for any length of time. A lack of precision from both sides led to a scrappy affair punctuated by the odd passage of good play.
After 20 minutes of the second half Lymm got a penalty which they opted to kick at goal, which perhaps summed up the state the game had reached. 18-13 to Lymm.
In the final ten minutes Lymm started to wake up and exert a bit of pressure on the Huddersfield line. From a series of well controlled drives McEvoy found himself in position to drop over the line. With the conversion made at 25-13 to Lymm the match was secure. Lymm now sensed the opportunity to push for the bonus point but it wasn’t to be and perhaps not deserved. Huddersfield came away with nothing, which was harsh for all their efforts.
This was not one of Lymm’s better days but a good victory nevertheless, against a team fighting for their lives. Previously Lymm might have folded, but this young side is now more resolute and were able to grind out another good win to further cement third sport.
This Saturday Lymm are away to Cleckheaton.
Team
1) Jordan Widdrington, 2) Rob Makin, 3) Mike Auden, 4) Will Baldwin, 5) Zak Lythgoe, 6) Aaron Rasheed, 7) Jack Harper, 8) Adam Bray, 9) Tom Baker, 10) Tom Bray, 11) Richard McEvoy, 12) Richard Halford, 13) Olli Higginson, 14) Cormack Nolan, 15) Joe Knowles, 16) Chris Owens,17) Nick Ashton, 18) Kieran Williams
