by Jim Knowles
LEAGUE leaders Huddersfield carried on their unbeaten run as they defeated Lymm 44-12.
Having won every game played this season in League National 3 North, Huddersfield already appear to be firm favourites for promotion back to National 2, after relegation last season.
Lymm, despite their comfortable home defeat of Waterloo last weekend, expected a difficult game. Injuries to key players, limited coach Adam Fletcher’s selection options and yet again some players had to play out of position. Special praise goes to Tom Shard, who with only 45 minutes notice, moved to fly-half when Tom Bray tweaked his hamstring in the warm up. Tom Baker went to scrum-half and veteran Dave Williamson came onto the bench. Yet another new centre partnership of Oli Higginson and James Kimber was necessary, because of an U18 county call for Will Titherington and Richard McEvoy being unable to travel due to work commitments.
Kicking off with the advantage of a swirling strong breeze at their backs, Lymm were immediately given warning of Huddersfield’s attacking strength. Their lock, by far the biggest man on the field, charged from his own half and it needed two defenders to halt him inside the Lymm 22. A ruck ensued and to their great credit, the Lymm forwards won turn over ball. Lymm were confined to their own half and when given the relief of a penalty failed to make certain of touch for a line out throw advantage. This typified errors at key moments throughout the game. Then after only 10 minutes had elapsed Lymm were further disadvantage by Sam Mullarkey sustaining a serious ankle injury. They now had to play without their last week’s three try “man of the match” but responded splendidly by scoring the opening try. It was initiated by Lymm stealing a Huddersfield throw line out and driving to the line for scrum-half Tom Baker to score (0-5).
Huddersfield responded immediately taking a driving maul to within 5 metres of the Lymm goal line which was only halted when Dan Horton got a yellow card for causing it to collapse. Huddersfield opted for a scrum and this was wheeled illegally to result in the award of a penalty try (7-5). Huddersfield now had their tails up and from good line out possession put the ball through their hands to score far out on the opposite side of the field (12-5).
Lymm then produced one of their best periods of the game with half backs Baker and Shard combining well to initiate attacks, including getting big prop Mike Auden on the charge to test the host’s defence. A further spell in the Huddersfield half with more sustained phases and better ball retention featured a break by Ollie Higginson that kept the home side’s defence at full stretch. A relieving kick was well fielded by fullback Joe Denman but his intended attacking return kick over the advancing defence was gathered by his opposite number who fed his speedy wing to score, taking advantage of all the Lymm defence being out of position (17-5).
Lymm started the second half in fine style, when wing Chris Owen caught the high kick and carried the ball up to the Huddersfield 22. This inspired his forwards to shove their heavier opponents off their own ball at the next scrum. The ball ran loose and Jake Ashall went over by the posts giving
Shard an easy conversion (17-12). For a while it then seemed that Lymm would score again matching and sometimes having the better of scrums and line outs but some poor kicking and ball retention set Huddersfield on a final quarter scoring spree beginning with a penalty (20-12). Good lines off running and sustained phases then yielded four tries and two conversions to confirm Huddersfield as worthy league leaders and a team ready for a return to National League 2 North (44-12).
The result would suggest that Lymm were totally outplayed but in fairness it was a good, close game up until the last 15 minutes. Lymm deserve credit for what was largely a spirited performance in difficult circumstances. Sadly it was confirmed that Sam Mullarkey had broken his ankle. This is disappointing setback for Sam, who was having an excellent season following a season on the side-lines due to surgery for a shoulder injury and we wish him a speedy recovery.
There is some light on the horizon, Alex Kahui and Zak Lythgoe are back in training and Nick Ashton returns next week. Huddersfield are a strong, well drilled team and punish your mistakes and unfortunately Lymm’s error count was quite high on the day. Lymm are a young, home grown squad of players with great potential that was clearly demonstrated by their best moments against more experienced opponents, determined to regain their “big club” status.
If players learn from these experiences and there is some injury respite, there is much that can be achieved by this team. Next week Lymm are at home to Wirral KO 2.15pm.
Squad: 1) Mike Auden, 2) Ross White, 3) Jordan Widdrington, 4) Joe Watson, 5) Will Baldwin, 6) Jake Ashall, 7) Sam Mullarkey, 8) Adam Bray (C), 9) Tom Baker, 10) Tom Shard, 11) Chris Owen, 12) Oli Higginson, 13) James Kimber, 14) Cormac Nolan 15) Joe Denman, 16) Dan Horton, 17) Matty Connolly, 18) Dave Williamson
