Caldy Under 16’s v Lymm Under 16’s – 13th October 2019

The third match of the season was always going to be a tough and exciting match, Caldy were certainly motivated and looking to avenge the Cheshire Cup final last of last season.

A surprisingly mild and dry Wirral morning, compared to the deluge of rain when we left Lymm, made great setting for the game.

The first half was a dogged and difficult first 15 minutes.  A succession of the scrums and broken plays, made more difficult by a high penalty count against the Lymm team.  Some indiscipline seeing us going backwards for a extra ten on more than one occasion.

Despite all this, the boys weathered through the period of pressure from Caldy allowing a breakthrough on the 20 minute mark. Deklan Hodson catching a long clearance within our own half to then run it back with his normal electric pace, breaking at least three attempted tackles and crashing over for a try.

0 – 5

Within a few minutes it seemed like Lymm were going to be in once more, with Luke Greenwood gathering a crossfield kick from Caldy and setting off to run the length, only to be pulled back for infringement earlier in the play

With halftime approaching, Lymm were once more under severe pressure, with Caldy camped on our line. The defensive commitment was outstanding.  At least 5 attempts were made by Caldy to get across line during sustained phases, including 3 separate penalties, but on each occasion the box stood up to the task and repelled the Caldy invaders.  Relief came as Caldy had to try and force the attack, giving way to a handling error that was the result of the high pressure defence from Lymm.

This was a great of example the team all working together with total commitment. Great effort!

Half-time 0-5

The second half started with an early opportunity to build a few points due to an early penaly, which is very narrowly lissed in the swirling wind. Inside ball, run through for Dek. Popped pass just short

The pressure was then all Lymm, with about 10 minutes camped inside the Caldy half.  With a quick spread of the ball, Lymm looked to be in at the corner, only to be held short. In the rush to generate a second phase, the ball was put down, giving Caldy an opportunity to build some territory.

After 20 mins of the second half, Caldy seized on their opportunity to score.  After long defensive kick down field, Lymm gathered the ball, but lost possession in the tackle. Lymm got penalised in for being offside at the ruck, with further indiscipline seeing Lymm back a further 10 yards.   A proceeding scrum saw Caldy use some quick ball to open a gap and a short 7 yard run over to score by the posts.

 7 – 5

Lymm needed to settle themselves, but it was not be. Straight from the restart and one quick phase, Caldy broke our line just inside halfway. Chased down by Harry, Deklan and Luke Greenwood to the very end, but not quite unable to stop the run.  A really good try and solid kick in from of the posts to push Cadly further in front. The home crowd were very buoyant as it looked like they would get the victory they sought.

14-5

The proceeding restart was gathered by Caldy, who quickly kicked down field to gain some territory.  The return down field ended with a strong run from Soheil into the Caldy half.  The resulting Lymm penalty at the breakdown giving Lymm another chance to score, with Soheil once again involved, driving his way thorough to score.  A great kick into a strong wind from Ollie, maximising the points and taking Lymm to within 2, with only a few minutes to play.

 14-12

A chance to take the lead came straight from the restart.   Four excellent phases followed by a neat pass to Harry Hallas on the blindside saw him make some good yards and bounce of tackle of a much larger opponent.  This set up a delicate chip into the Caldy in goal area, with Dekl an only finger tip from scoring after his rapid chase.

1 min minute later, Deklan was once again in action with a break in the centre of the pitch and a strong drive from Jack Oakes (one of many), earning a penalty as Caldy scrambled in defence. An accurate kick to the corner and resulting line out was gathered by Eddie who managed to spread the ball to Ollie D.  A clever dummy by Ollie and a low dive for the line, getting him over the line for what was to be the winning try of the match.

 14 – 17 (Full Time)

This was  difficult match, made harder through a high penalty count against.  Overall the boys showed total commitment in defence and some quick work in attack to get the victory.  Well done to all the boys involved, a superb team effort!