Report by Andy Leach
LYMM produced another impressive attacking display at Beechwood on Saturday as they overcame Exeter University 36-21 in a fast-paced National League 2 West encounter.
The victory keeps Lymm firmly in the promotion mix after four wins from their opening five league matches, while Exeter remain at the foot of the table.
There was plenty of history between the two sides, despite this being only their third meeting. Lymm had won both previous encounters last season, with those matches producing a remarkable 163 points and 24 tries.
And another entertaining afternoon was anticipated – with the two sides again delivering plenty for the spectators.
Lymm made four changes from the previous week’s trip to Barnstaple, with Joe Higgins and Lymm debutant Will Hitchen coming into the side for the injured Matty Hand and Alfie Simpson.
Nathan Ovien replaced the unavailable Fin Williams, while experienced back-rower Josh Hadland returned in place of Lewis Stewart.
On a glorious October afternoon at Beechwood, Lymm made the perfect start.
Winning the contested kick-off, the home side immediately established control of possession and territory.
A succession of penalties gave Lymm several attacking line-outs, but Exeter somehow managed to repel the powerful home pack.
The breakthrough eventually came after 11 minutes when Tom Shard opted to mix things up with a cross-field kick.
Right-wing Andy Williams took the ball on the bounce before racing through relatively unopposed to score to the right of the posts.
Shard added the conversion and Lymm led 7-0 after 12 minutes.
Exeter gradually found their way into the contest, but Lymm continued to dominate at set-piece time and were soon back on the attack.
From a scrum just inside Exeter territory, Lymm moved the ball cleverly through the hands towards the right, allowing Williams to exploit the space.
The winger outflanked the covering defence before squeezing in near the right-hand corner flag.
The conversion was missed, but Lymm were 12-0 ahead after 19 minutes.
Exeter responded strongly and enjoyed their best spell of the half.
The visitors’ clever use of kicking behind the Lymm defence proved particularly effective, producing two converted tries in quick succession.
Rory Humphries followed through a grubber kick to score after 23 minutes, before scrum-half Oliver Bertie crossed following up a kick from Zach Wall.
Woody Walker converted both to turn the game on its head at 14-12 after 28 minutes.
Lymm, however, responded before the interval.
Another powerful driving maul from a line-out deep inside the Exeter 22 was stopped just short of the line.
The ball was recycled into midfield and James Hampson took it into contact before Rhys Lilly produced a superb deft offload.
Lilly was celebrating his 100th appearance for Lymm and his pass released Ovien into space on the left. The big forward showed his strength to power over in the corner.
There was no conversion, but Lymm had regained the lead at 17-14.
Half-time: Lymm 17 Exeter University 14
Lymm had deserved their narrow advantage but Exeter had shown plenty of defensive resilience and demonstrated that they could punish any lapse in concentration.
Patience and composure were therefore going to be vital for the home side.
The message from the Lymm coaching staff clearly hit home.
Lymm came flying out of the blocks after the restart and quickly put Exeter under pressure.
Hadland, returning to action after his early-season injury, immediately showed what he could offer with a powerful break through the heart of the Exeter defence.
The move eventually broke down when his inside pass narrowly failed to find its intended target.
Lymm did not have to wait long for their next opportunity.
A line-out inside the Exeter 22 set up another powerful forward assault.
When the maul’s momentum was halted, Sam Dickenson peeled away and linked with Ben Lilley, who was hauled down inches short.
The ball was recycled and moved through the backs, with Williams arriving to complete his hat-trick in the corner.
It was also Lymm’s bonus-point try.
Shard was unable to add the conversion, but Lymm had stretched their lead to 22-14 after 45 minutes.
Four minutes later the home side struck again.
Lymm secured possession from a line-out just inside the Exeter half before a couple of midfield drives created the opportunity to move the ball wide.
Lilly burst through the Exeter defensive line and powered towards the 22 before combining brilliantly with supporting scrum-half Tom Manaton.
The pair beat the final line of Exeter resistance, allowing Lilly to stroll under the posts.
It was Lilly’s sixth try against Exeter in just three matches. Shard converted to make it 29-14 after 49 minutes.
The game then settled into a more scrappy spell, with neither side able to establish sustained possession as handling errors crept into the contest.
Exeter refused to give up and reduced the deficit after 64 minutes.
Following an attacking line-out, the visitors patiently worked through several phases before centre Nick Allison found a way through the Lymm defence.
Walker added another conversion to make it 29-21. But Lymm remained composed and finished strongly.
With three minutes remaining, a penalty was kicked to the corner and this time Exeter had no answer to the Lymm rolling maul.
Hampson, who had moved in from the three-quarter line to join the forward assault, emerged with the ball to claim Lymm’s sixth try.
Shard added the conversion to complete the scoring.
Both sides deserve credit for producing an entertaining, attacking contest in near-perfect conditions – although the warm October afternoon may have been rather more comfortable for those watching from the terraces than for the players.
Afterwards, a delighted Lymm Director of Rugby Andy Davies said: “That was probably the happiest I have been after one of our matches this season. I thought we showed great composure and class against a very good Exeter Uni outfit.
“There was some awesome rugby on show today and what a fantastic day it was for the club with all three senior teams winning.”
Lymm now turn their attention to their next league fixture when they travel to Taunton on Saturday, October 10, with kick-off at 3pm.
Lymm team: Ben Lilley; James Pitcher (captain), Dalitso Ngoma, Josh Maskery, Nathan Ovien, Harry Wadsdell, Jack Stride, Rhys Lilly, Tom Manaton, Tom Shard, Joe Heaton, Jack Reynolds, James Hampson, Andy Williams, Alex Muckherjee.
Replacements: Logan Byrne, Joe Higgins, Sam Dickenson, Josh Hadland, Will Hitchen.
Referee: Timothy Allatt.
