By David Fernyhough
LYMM endured a difficult afternoon in Somerset as Taunton Titans exposed their defensive weaknesses and capitalised on a succession of errors to inflict a heavy 59-12 defeat.
With a lack of supporters able to make the journey south, the match was watched via live stream at Beechwood, where Lymm supporters witnessed a frustrating afternoon for the visitors.
Lymm welcomed Cal Morris back at scrum-half and handed a debut to winger Dylan Carroll, but from the opening exchanges it was clear they faced a significant challenge at scrum time.
Taunton immediately demonstrated their superiority in the set-piece, pushing Lymm off their own scrum ball and forcing the visitors onto the back foot.
The home side advanced towards the try line and, although Lymm initially held firm, a goal-line drop-out gave Taunton another opportunity to attack. A further scrum success created space out wide for the opening try, which was converted to make it 7-0.
Taunton threatened again when a breach in the Lymm defence allowed a lengthy break deep into the visitors’ territory. A forward pass, however, spared Lymm further punishment.
The visitors enjoyed a spell of possession over the next 10 minutes but repeatedly undermined their own progress with knock-ons and inaccurate handling.
Even a yellow card for Taunton could not prevent the home side from extending their advantage. A powerful driving attack carried them into Lymm territory before another defensive lapse allowed the hosts to cross the line for a converted try and a 14-0 lead.
Taunton’s impressive number eight then helped push the score to 21-0. A Lymm clearance kick travelled the length of the pitch but brought little relief, allowing the home side to return immediately to the attack.
A high tackle earned Lymm a yellow card, and Taunton took full advantage, using their physicality to force their way over the line.
Half-time: Taunton Titans 21-0 Lymm
Any hopes of a Lymm revival were dealt an immediate blow after the restart, when Taunton caught the ball and surged through the visitors’ defence to score from around 45 metres out.
The conversion took the score to 28-0, and matters soon deteriorated further.
A poor Taunton kick briefly offered Lymm an opportunity to attack in the opposition half, but the move broke down through poor execution and possession was surrendered.
Taunton responded by kicking deep into Lymm territory before collecting the ball and scoring again to extend their lead to 35-0.
Lymm made a change at scrum-half, with Mukherjee moving into the position, and their attacking tempo improved.
The visitors finally got on the scoreboard through a well-executed line-out maul. Hooker James Pitcher emerged as the try-scorer, with captain and fly-half Tom Shard adding the conversion to make it 35-7.
However, any momentum was short-lived as poor Lymm passing presented Taunton with another opportunity. The home side gratefully accepted the invitation, gathering the loose ball and running in an unopposed try.
Lymm did produce a moment of genuine quality when debutant Carroll combined with Andy Williams to create a fine try out on the left wing.
The conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 40-12 and offering a reminder of what the visitors could produce when their attack clicked.
But Taunton responded almost immediately. Their full-back burst into the Lymm defence, and when several defenders failed to make their tackles, he was able to continue for another 40 metres through acres of space to score.
With Lymm struggling to contain the home side’s direct running, Taunton added three further tries to complete a comprehensive victory, leaving the visitors with plenty to consider ahead of their next outing.
For Lymm, the performance was a disappointing combination of defensive lapses, uncoordinated attacking play and handling errors that repeatedly handed the initiative to their opponents.
Although there were occasional glimpses of attacking promise, particularly through the line-out maul and the try involving Carroll and Williams, the visitors were unable to sustain any meaningful pressure.
Lymm team
Ben Lilley, James Pitcher, Dalitso Ngoma, Nathan Ovien, McCarthy, Jack Stride, Maskery, Josh Hadland, Cal Morris, Tom Shard (captain), Joe Heaton, Jack Reynolds, Andy Williams, Dylan Carroll, Alex Mukherjee.
Replacements: Logan Byrne, Higgins, Sam Ure, Joe Cope, Hitchen.
