by Peter Cornelia
IN a game that marked the 250th 1stXV appearance by former Captain, Adam Bray, a commendable record by a committed club man, Lymm triumphed 40-0 over newly-promoted Burnage.
Prior to kick-off, there was a minutes silence in memory of Geoff Evans and Chris Newman Jnr, who both sadly died last week. May they rest in peace.
Burnage have not had the best of starts to the season, following their promotion from North 1 West, losing all their games so far.
Lymm gave 1st XV squad debuts to Jordan Houghton and Ed Morris and Paddy Jennings returned to the wing in place of the unavailable, Sam Wandsworth.
After 5 minutes, Lymm opened the scoring with a Cormac Nolan penalty. 3 – 0. Fullback Nolan was again on the score sheet with an unconverted try after 9 minutes. 8 -0.
The game was mainly played in the Burnage half, with Lymm dominating possession. But the visitors defended well disrupting numerous try-scoring attacks. Eventually, the Lymm pressure told and 20-year-old open-side flanker, Harry Martin, crossed out on the left, for his first league try of the season. The swirly wind foiled Nolan’s conversion attempt, 13 – 0. Then just before half-time, hooker Rob Makin crossed for an unconverted try to lead 18-0 at the break.
Within 5 minutes of the restart Makin again crossed the line, enabling Nolan to make his first conversion. 25 – 0. It was now time to bring on the bench. Adam Bray moved to hooker, Ed Morris to blindside flanker and Jordan Houghton onto the wing. However, credit must be given to the Burnage defence, as it was 69 minutes on the clock before Lymm scored again. Scrum-half Gregor Watson, who is creating a great half back partnership with Skipper Tom Bray, was in support as Lymm swept forward from the halfway. He went in under the sticks to make an easy Nolan conversion. 32 – 0.
The Lymm defence was excellent all game and what little possession Burnage had was always put under pressure. Flanker Ed Morris caught the eye, with his speed out of the blocks and some crunching tackles in defence.
With 6 minutes to go, Lymm again swept into the Burnage 22 with the forwards driving Adam Bray over for the final unconverted try on his 250th 1st XV game. 37-0. Then with seconds remaining and Lymm still pressurising the visitor’s line, Nolan converted a penalty. 40 – 0.
Director of Rugby and Head Coach Adam Fletcher, will be very happy with the chemistry that is evolving with his talented squad. There are some tougher games in the next few weeks but Lymm will be ready for the challenge.
Next Saturday 9th October, Lymm make the long trip to Alnwick.
Squad:
1. Kurt Riley, 2. Rob Makin, 3. James Sherlock, 4. Aaron Rasheed, 5. James Yates, 6 Adam Bray, 7. Harry Martin, 8. Oli Higginson, 9 Gregor Watson, 10. Tom Bray (C), 11. Rory Riddell, 12. Steve Pilkington, 13. Ben Stansfield, 14. Paddy Jennings, 15. Cormac Nolan, 16. Joe Higgins, 17. Jordan Houghton, 18. Ed Morris.
Referee: Mr Kristian Garland – RFU North Group
Picture Tim Martin
