by Neil Allen
AFTER a promising start to the season, Lymm 1st team have started to falter, not helped by a growing list of injured players and those off to university, which has severely tested the club’s strength in depth.
At the weekend Lymm were beaten at their own game as they went down 10-29 at home to Billingham.
Conditions at Crouchley Lane were perfect on Saturday for the visit of Billingham. The pitch was in pristine condition, with only a slight breeze to interfere with otherwise ideal conditions. With two evenly matched teams who both like to run the ball, the stage was set for a close encounter. The late withdrawal of Richard McEvoy saw Lymm give a first team debut to Harry Reddick in the centre.
The first ten minute of the game were even with both teams probing. Billingham looked the more likely however and the Lymm defence, which has been outstanding all season, began to look a little leaky as a number of first up tackles were missed. On ten minutes Billingham found an ominous gap in the centre and went through unopposed under the posts to make it 7-0.
Billingham were now on the front foot, quicker in thought and deed than Lymm and they extended their lead on 15 minutes with a penalty. Lymm were struggling to gain possession and when they did get their hands on the ball, the play was frenetic with the ball being lost in contact time and time again.
In contrast Billingham were controlled and precise, and on the half hour scored again, putting the ball through the hands for the winger to round his man and touchdown in the corner. Simple, quick, well executed rugby. The Crouchley Lane hallmark, but something Lymm they were struggling to execute.
Lymm did finish the half knocking on the door, but again at crucial times either lost the ball or turned over trying to force the pace. Half-time 17-0 and Lymm had it all to do.
Lymm started the second half brightly but again were guilty of overplaying as opposed to going through the phases. The Lymm pressure was however rewarded with a penalty to finally get them on the board. 17-3.
Just as it looked like Lymm might be able to get something out of the game Billingham went over again. A simple blindside break from the Billingham number 8 was not picked up by Lymm and he strolled over unopposed to stretch the lead to 24-3.
A heavy defeat was now on the cards and this spurred Lymm with Adam Bray and Olli Higginson leading the charge. Some controlled phases eventually led Tom Bray to put Jake Ashall over under the posts to make it 24-10 with a simple Nolan conversion and Lymm were now looking to get something out of the game. This did not last long as Sam Mullarkey was yellow carded for taking a man out in the air. Billingham capitalised on the man advantage with a clever kick through for the left winger to pounce on. Bonus point secured for Billingham, which was no less than they deserved for playing quick accurate simple rugby.
The final ten minutes of the match saw plenty of huff and puff from Lymm but no further score. It just wasn’t Lymm’s day today and one to forget. With a blank Saturday next week this should allow the team to re-group and go again for the Christmas run in.
The next games are on Saturday 22nd October when the 1’s travel away to play Hull and the 2’s & 3’s are at home to Waterloo 2’s and Village Spartans. Lymm 4’s are away at Knutsford.
On Sunday 30th October, Lymm RFC are honoured to be hosting the North of England, U18 County Festival. This comprises the following 3 matches. 11:00 Lancashire v Cheshire; 12:45 Durham v Cumbria; 14:30 Northumberland v Yorkshire. There may well be some Lymm players in the Cheshire squad.
Squad: 1) Mike Auden, 2) Ross White, 3) Jordan Widdrington, 4) Will Baldwin, 5) Matty Connolly, 6) Sam Mullarkey, 7) Adam Bray (C), 8) Oli Higginson, 9) Tom Baker, 10) Tom Bray, 11) Cormac Nolan, 12) Michael Floyd, 13) Harry Reddick, 14) Chris Owens, 15) Joe Knowles, 16) Jake Ashall, 17) Joe Denman, 18) Oscar McCormack
