All weathers at the same time met for a portentous day at Beechwood as the past players’ reunion bolstered the numbers gathered, hoping to watch Lymm secure their place at Level 4 for next season, with a number of teams at risk of having to undergo the end-of-season play-off.
Other talking points focused on the past and the future of the club, with 2 Colts making their debuts, Jamie Cope and Ed Millachip, and club legend Oli Higginson making his 300th appearance, a wonderful achievement for a loyal and outstanding player.
From the kick off, Lymm displayed the 2 key elements of their game that would colour the rest of the game. On receipt of the ball deep in their own half, and in the face of a strong wind, Lymm chose to run and pass their way into Devonian territory. Some nice interlinking was then undone by over-complication with a miss-pass sailing past the Lymm outside backs and into touch, 12 metres from the Lymm line.
Barum (the locals’ name for Barnstaple) seized on this early gift. Winning a scrum from the lineout, from which they peeled left and scored quite easily from short range. The conversion was good, 0 v 7.
The next Lymm receipt of the ball fared better. The choice to run was a good one and Jack Stride made hard metres into the Barum defence and getting the home side inside the 22m. The ensuing penalty allowed Lymm a lineout close to the visitors try line. Despite the gale the lineout was excellently executed and Lymm advanced towards a score.
However, the ball was held up over the try line, and Barum were able to clear via a drop out.
Lymm ran the dropout kick straight back at the Devonians and again looked threatening, with Tom Shard’s delayed pass allowing Tom Manaton to drive straight and make good yards. However, as the ball was moved wide, another missed pass went astray, and Barnstaple cleared.
The next score would again be the result of excessive adventure when, after posing no threat for some time, the visitors found a Lymm pass thrown straight to them for an easy interception and with no defenders in sight, Barnstaple were able to add a second try to their score, with less than 20 minutes played. 0 v 14.
The weather was now ensuring it was going to be more of an influence with showers accompanying the wind. Lymm continued to try and attack and at times looked genuinely threatening, but lack of numbers at rucks, knock-ons and more forced offences ensured each attack was thwarted,
The next Barum score had many similarities to their first, as a Lymm pass floated over the heads of the would be recipient into touch, gifting their opponents possession in a place they had not been able to advance to through their own efforts for most of the half.
Again, they won a scrum, inside Lymm’s 10 metre and were able to once more peel off and score a simple but well-worked try. The conversion was good again, 0 v 21.
With less than 20 minutes played, Lymm were in a difficult situation.
As the half drew to a close (in theory) Lymm finally registered a score. Steve Pilkington in the centres bashed his way forward, allowing space behind him which Shard deftly put prop Matty Hand through.
Hand had hit an excellent line and despite being stopped just shy of the try line, Lymm had the space out wide, and Andy Williams was able to score on the wing. 5 v 21. The wind made any conversion unlikely and the kick was missed.
A prolonged bout of handbags seemed likely to see the half out, but many more minutes were played during which Barum lost a forward to a yellow card.
The hopes of the Lymm faithful were raised when Manaton made another speedy break and fed Shard 18 metres from the try line. His kick through behind the defence was well judged and Callum Morris was on hand to dab the ball down, 10 v 21, and half-time.
Half Time: Lymm 10 – 21 Barnstaple
From the second half re-start Lymm seemed to have added the score that the momentum of the game suggested. Manaton again liaised with Oli Higginson to create an opportunity just yards from the Barum line.
Jack Stride was on hand to pick the ball up from a ruck on the try line, and ably assisted by team mates clearing out the ruck, Stride dived over to score. However, the referee adjudged there had been head contact during the clearance and the score was disallowed.
The excited noises coming from the Lymm bench gave evidence to the dominance they were displaying, with Barum struggling to clear their lines due to the wind. Lymm’s defence was impressive and it seemed inevitable that Lymm would find the much-need points to ensure they avoided the relegation threat. A yellow card to Higginson upset the rhythm somewhat but Lymm continued to be a threat.
The introduction of the 2 debutant youngsters was interesting as they were both involved in attacks, with Cope unlucky not to score with a very direct attack from 5 metres out but was held up over the line.
The next try though would change the game massively. Barnstaple won a scrum near half-way and looked likely to make a rare incursion into Lymm’s half. Once more they peeled to the left and this time kicked deep. Their winger won his race against the Lymm defence and was able to score the bonus point try and against the run of play, take the lead to 10 v 26.
The weather by now had become appalling with driving rain and sleet sending the less sartorially prepared spectators scuttling for shelter, and the opportunity to avoid watching the game and the precious points slip away from Lymm.
With 10 minutes left the fizz went out of Lymm, and Barnstaple were able to control the ball for much of the remaining game.
So a disappointing end to a day that had promised so much. Barnstaple had had the worst of the possession but had ensured they came away with points from every opportunity that came their way. The home side however had been more profligate, and were unable to benefit from their build-up play.
Full time: Lymm 10 – 26 Barnstaple
Head Coach Andy Davies summed up the performance. “A frustrating game today in many aspects. We couldn’t keep hold of the ball for multiple phases and we gave Barnstaple easy entries into our 22 through indiscipline. We also lacked composure in critical moments of the game.
“Obviously, we wanted to put on a big performance today for Higgo, and I’m gutted we didn’t. But that shouldn’t let it overshadow the amazing achievement of him reaching 300 appearances,” he concluded.
Team: 1. Ben Lilley (41) 2. James Pitcher (112)* 3. Matty Hand (136)* 4. Olly Thompson (6)*
5. Josh Maskery (9) 6. Jack Struide (38). 7. Rhys Lilly (93)*. 8. Oli Higginson (300)*. 9. Tom Manton (47) 10. Tom Shard (164)* 11. Paddy Jennings (101)* 12. Jack Reynolds (49)
13. Ste Pilkington (103)* 14. Andy Williams (29)* 15. Cal Morris (84).
Reserves: 16. Joe Higgins (38)* 17. Gal Ngoma (17) 18. Jamie Cope (1)* 19. Rory Cartlidge (4)
20. Ed Millachip (1)*
Referee: James Walker
Assistant refs: Liam Reilly and Jonny Cartwright
