Report by Simon Plumb
LYMM lying eighth, faced fifth positioned Wirral losing out 24-27 in what has traditionally become a tough and close encounter.
So it proved as Lymm got off to a flying start as McEvoy burst through at centre, leaving three defenders in his wake, to score under the posts after three minutes. Scrum half Shard duly converted 7-0.
This was swiftly followed by a penalty to Lymm 35m out which Shard slotted with ease making it 10-0 after 7 minutes. It took a while for Wirral to settle and some poor handling in the backs reduced their running threat on more than one occasion.
Lymm’s offensive tackling was also notable with Jake Ashall at blind side particularly prominent. An attacking line out, resulting for repeated offside and a yellow card for Wirral’s left wing helped set up an attacking line out and the ball was deemed to be held up on the line. The subsequent 5m scrum forced Wirral to illegally wheel the scrum and a penalty try was awarded near the sticks, duly converted by Shard, 17-0 after 21 minutes and looking good.
Wirral then got on the scoreboard with a penalty after 26mins 17-3 and nearly scored a try from a 5m scrum of their own but knocked on after continued solid defence from the home side.
Matt Connelly, playing as lock, then took a knock and was replaced by the returning Alex Kahui as half time approached. However Wirral were not going to turn round without some dividend, and after good hands and a clever chip through the right wing went over wide out. The Wirral fly half, who was having an increasing influence on proceedings, then converted superbly making it 17-10. Not satisfied Wirral came again and would have scored in the same corner but for a try saving tackle from full back Joe Denham, as the half concluded.
Wirral then starved the hosts of possession, compounded by poor execution at the line out which continues to be a problem area for Lymm. Wirral, now looking fluid and confident with ball in hand continued to attack well but Lymm defended with determination. A penalty 10m out was duly converted by Wirral, making it 17-13 on the hour mark and all to play for.
A speculative kick from Shard bounced favourably for centre Higginson who collected the ball and sprinted in from 25m. Shard converted for a 24-13 score line and Lymm seemed back in control, with 18 mins remaining.
Then disaster as prop Auden was yellow carded for a fracas and Lymm were on the back foot once more. Smelling blood, Wirral sustained the pressure and, following excellent distribution from the fly half, scored a straightforward try as the centre broke through in the middle. 24-20 as the conversion went over.
Wirral, with their tails up and looking composed, went for the kill. They nearly scored twice in succession, despite Lymm’s stubborn defence, and the ref was unsighted when they may have got over the line from a 5m scrum. However, from one infringement too many, the visitors took a quick tap penalty from 10m out and dived over near the sticks to take the lead for the first time at 24-27 with minutes on the clock.
In a frustrating period of play Wirral, playing with composure and no little strategy, kept possession as much as possible until, in desperation, Lymm started to go through the play book with a succession of phases. Just when it seemed they may score Lymm were penalised for holding on in the tackle and the final whistle went.
If Lymm are to work their way up the table they will need to take the lessons Wirral gave them in this fixture in terms of keeping possession, winning the set piece and not losing the ball in the tackle. These are all ongoing issues for this young side who can only improve as the season continues.
1. Horton 2. White 3. Widdrington 4. Baldwin 5. Connelly 6. Ashall. 7. Watson 8. A. Bray (c) 9. Shard 10. T. Bray. 11. Owen 12. Higginson. 13. McEvoy 14. Williamson 15. Denham. Replacements: Auden, Kahui.
