Lymm 21 – 22 Redingensians Rams by Peter Cornelia
LYMM have showed plenty of good form in their pre-season fixtures, losing out 21-22 in their latest match to National 2 South Redingensians Rams 21-22.
The National 2 South opponents arrived with a squad of 35 for their first visit to Lymm, before heading down to Macclesfield on Saturday for a tournament including Loughborough Students and Caldy.
Having put on an excellent display against National 2 North Caldy and National 3 Midlands Longton the previous Sunday, Lymm coaches were looking forward to another test against quality opposition for their squad and will have been more than satisfied with the result.
On a lovely evening, a sizeable crowd were rewarded with an entertaining display of fast, open rugby from both teams. The Lymm squad of 27, included two full packs of forwards and 11 backs. There were 10 changes to the squad which went to Caldy and only 10 of last season’s regular 1stXV were available.
Early exchanges were even but the visitors took the lead after 13mins with an unconverted try off the back of a 5m lineout (0-5). Then after 22mins, from a loose Lymm kick, the visitors scored an excellent try. The ball was moved quickly left down their back line for their left winger to race in. The conversion was missed (0-10).
Lymm were still very much in the game and started to test the visitor’s defensive line with strong carries by No8 & Skipper Adam Bray, Lock Will Baldwin and flankers Sam Mullarkey and Joe McGrail. After 25mins the pressure told and after conceding a number of penalties to Lymm, scrum-half Tom Baker crossed close to the posts to give Cormac Nolan a simple conversion (7-10). In fact it was winger Cormac Nolan’s excellent touch kicking that kept Lymm on the front foot for most of the match. He is also an elusive ball carrier and difficult to play against. Close season recruit, Joe Denham, playing at full back, is also an elusive ball carrier and regularly broke the gain line. It was from one of his breaks that Lymm made ground into the visitors 22, with good recycling and ball retention. As the clock ticked towards half-time, they were awarded a 5 metre scrum and with their pack in the ascendancy, Adam Bray touched down with Cormac Nolan converting (14-10)
HT 14 – 10
Both sides were using rolling replacements throughout the match. The Rams probably had the better of the lineout exchanges overall but scrum domination varied depending on the make-up of each front 5. From the restart, the fast pace of the game continued. With 50 minutes on the clock the Rams made ground up to the Lymm 22 and from a lineout moved the ball swiftly right for a converted try (14-17).
Lymm responded in style 3mins later when Adam Bray stole a Rams’ lineout just inside their half. Quick hands saw the impressive Alastair Wealthall come into the line at a good angle and leave two desperate missed tackles behind him before going in under the posts, Nolan again adding the extras (21-17).
After 60mins, coach Fletcher withdrew most of his more senior players to give the younger squad members the chance to show their skills and fitness. For 15 mins they defended against intense Rams’ pressure in their 22. 5 metre lineouts; rolling mauls into their 5 metre area; they held their line. Eventually they were awarded a penalty and the ever reliable Nolan booted the ball into touch, well into the visitors half. From the lineout they moved the ball back and too across the pitch and into the Rams 22. Desperate defence stopped them from scoring and eventually Rams were awarded a penalty and the ball was back inside the Lymm half. Two more quick penalties against Lymm resulted in an attacking 5 metre lineout for the visitors and in the final seconds of the game they scored an unconverted try (21-22).
“What a game,” was the collective response from the Lymm supporters. The Rams coaches were most impressed by the Lymm performance and felt that they had had a great workout before they play in the Macclesfield tournament on Saturday. Interestingly, they drew 5 – 5 with Caldy; beat National 1 Loughborough Students 12 – 5 and only lost 5 – 0 to National 1 hosts Macclesfield in the final Seconds.
Coach Adam Fletcher is still setting his target on a promotion spot and on this performance, he will have a squad which should help realise his ambitions.
This Friday August 26, KO 8pm, they travel to play Sale FC at Heywood Rd in the Cheshire Cup, Quarter Final.
Lymm Squad:
Forwards: Mike Auden, Nick Ashton, Jordan Widdrington, Kieran O’Callaghan, Will Baldwin, Henry Baldwin, Joe McGrail, Sam Mullarkey, Adam Bray (C), Matty Connelly, Oscar McCormack, Bobby Gould, Ross White, James Yates, Joe Rodgers, Nat Johnstone.
Backs: Tom Baker, James Boaden, Alastair Wealthall, Dan Mansk, Matt Gill, Oli Lancaster, James Kimber, Joe Denman, Cormac Nolan, Chris Owen, Jorge Reynolds.
More Lymm RFC Honours
Two Lymm players, Toby Philips (Capt) and Ollie Holmes, are in the England U18’s Touch Rugby Team, playing in the Euros Tournament in Holland over the weekend 19-21 August.
