Lymm RFC v Preston Grasshoppers RUFC – Saturday 14th December 2024

It gives me enormous pleasure to welcome you to Beechwood for our 13th league fixture (and 6th home game) of the season.

I would also like to extend a very warm welcome to our visitors (and old friends) today, Preston Grasshoppers RFC.

“Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow! You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout Till you have drench’d our steeples, drown’d the cocks! You sulphurous and thought-executing fires, Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts, Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder, Smite flat the thick rotundity o’ the world! Crack nature’s moulds, an germens spill at once, That make ingrateful man! “

So it was that as I left home last Saturday, it occurred to me that King Lear was not the only mad old fool to have ventured out into a storm – travelling in a high sided vehicle over the Pennines as Storm Darragh wreaked havoc had the potential not to be the best idea I have ever had. But in the event, it was Sheffield’s victory over a previously unbeaten Lymm side that spoiled my day and not the storm.

As you may have seen from the Match Report on our website, although we were given the all clear to play following an early morning pitch inspection, the conditions did not favour the free flowing rugby for which both sides are known and it was one of those games where the outcome would be decided by whoever played the conditions better. The first half was a tight affair and ended 5-5, which was a fair reflection of how evenly the teams were matched. I had conversation at half time with one of the Sheffield Exec and our opposition’s view at that point in the proceedings was that Lymm were on course for another victory. But, given the deteriorating conditions, the truth of the matter was that it was the first team to score in the second half that would be in the ascendency – in the event, the first score in the second half was Sheffield’s and they went on to score 2 more tries to secure a 5 point bonus win. Final score: Sheffield – 24 ; Lymm – 5.  Our Director of Rugby, Adam Fletcher, said after the match, “… it was almost impossible to chase the game in those conditions.  The lineout was a lottery for both teams and Sheffield had the upper hand in the scrum. Sheffield thoroughly deserved the win.”

I wouldn’t say that it was a relief to have lost but the expectations that had come with our remarkable unbeaten run was perceived by some as a burden so getting that monkey off our back was not necessarily a bad thing. Of losing, Vince Lombardi (considered by many to be among the greatest coaches in American sport) said “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up” and the view on the way home last Saturday was an absolute determination that 40 minutes should not define our season.

And so to today’s game – last season we beat Hoppers 46-22 at home but lost the return fixture 46 – 42 and, if memory serves, even though we came second at Lightfoot Green, the result meant that both teams secured the 2 league points they needed to retain their respective places in National League 2 this season. Hopper’s season thus far has been a mixed bag – they are 8th in the League with a record of played 12, won 4, drawn 2 and lost 7. Although they lost heavily (0-39) at home last week to Hull Ionians, Hoppers have given both Sheffield and Leeds Tykes a run for their money this season so they are not to be underestimated and our result last week will give them confidence for today’s encounter. Indeed, out of the last 6 fixtures between the 2 teams, Hoppers have won 5 so history (if not form) is on their side today. Nonetheless, it promises to be a fascinating encounter.

The 1st XV’s loss to Sheffield last Saturday now leaves the 3rd XV as our only unbeaten senior team (Played 9; Won – 9) and they lie in 2nd place (on points difference) in their league, behind Manchester Medics, who have played 2 more games. Perhaps a bit too early to say but I think promotion beckons for the Eagles!

Finally, the 8 night run of “Scrooge” came to an end on last Sunday and I think it is fair to say this year’s Lymm Panto was a triumph! Huge congratulations (and thanks) must go to Simon Plumb and the rest of the Panto cast and crew for their invaluable contribution to the Club. The Lymm Panto is now in its 38th year so, in the context of the longest-running West End shows, it sits in third place behind Les Misérables and The Mousetrap! Quite an achievement!

All that leaves me to say is that I wish all the teams, their coaches and support staff, who represent Lymm at every level, from Minis & Juniors up to Senior Rugby the best of luck this weekend.