Lymm Under 16’s v Caldy Under 16’s – Sunday 24th September 2023

After the excitement on Saturday of an impressive first win in the league for Lymm’s 1st XV and victories for the 2nd XV and the Eagles, it was now the turn of the U16’s to put on a performance against local rivals Caldy RFC.

Following an unbeaten tour last weekend against the best of the Isle of Man, the boys returned to Crouchley Lane this weekend and were keen to put on a strong performance.

Caldy and Lymm are always well matched and Sunday’s game was to be no exception. The game started with Caldy kicking to Lymm and both sides spent the next 5 minutes testing and sounding each other out with Caldy getting slightly the better of the early exchanges.

Lymm held on well but Caldy’s movement was good and after a series of powerful drives, they managed to get over to score the first try of the game. The conversion was missed in very blustery conditions. 0-5 Caldy.

Lymm responded well and applied significant pressure on the Caldy defence. After a scrum in midfield Lymm moved the ball through 2 phases before impressively moving the ball wide where Lymm’s fullback stepped inside the scrambling Caldy defence to score out wide and level the score 5-5. The conversion was missed.

Following the kick off both teams continued to test and challenge each other and for the next 16 minutes it was honours even between the two sides. On the 23rd minute however Caldy again probed the Lymm defences and with good interplay got over the line for a converted try – 5-12.

Lymm suffered a couple of injuries during this period which necessitated a number of positional changes with some of the backline being deployed into the back row. The stand in back rowers all acquitted themselves well in their new roles and Lymm sprang into action following Caldys score, rallying well and forcing Caldy to defend for long periods. Lymm’s persistence paid dividends just before half time when they got over out wide for another unconverted try.

Half Time: Lymm 10 – 12 Caldy – all to play for.

The half time team talk over, Lymm started the second half with real intent looking to utilise the strong wind blowing down the field and good kick chases immediately putting pressure on the opposition 22 metre line. From a good turnover Lymm exploited gaps in the opposition defence and out wide found the extra man to score in the corner after 2 minutes of the half. With the conversion successful- Lymm took the lead in the game for the first time 17-12.

Caldy were not to be outdone however and came back at Lymm and both teams hammered away at each others defences with no further score for 12 minutes. The deadlock was finally broken however by Caldy who broke through a tiring defence and scored a good converted try near to the posts. 17-19 and Caldy back in the lead.

Having fought back for the lead once, the Lymm players were not going to go quietly and stepped up their intensity and level of attacks. Against the  run of play Caldy having weathered the storm responded strongly and on the 56th minute got over for another converted try. 17-26.

Lymm knew now they had a battle on their hands if they were going to get anything out of the game and pinned Caldy down into their own 22. On the 58th minute, after a couple of powerful drives infield from the forward pack, as the ball went wide,  a loose pass was picked up 15 metres from the Caldy line and the Lymm’s stand in flanker broke through two tackles and powered over the line for a score under the posts which was duly converted. 24-26.

At this point the game remained in the balance and Caldy’s counter attacking was impressive with good footwork and pace – however Lymm’s scrambling defence was equally good and for the next five minutes either team could have scored.

Lymm managed to keep Caldy out and through precise and accurate kicking with committed kick chasing, pinned Caldy back into their own half. A home scrum on the edge of the 22 set up the platform for a Nr 8 pick and go with the Lymm player breaking through the Caldy defence to score just to the right of the posts. This time the conversion went wide. 29-26 and Lymm had regained the lead.

With 4 minutes left on the clock, was there time for Caldy to get another score? From the kick off Caldy went straight after Lymm but the home team showed resolute defence to keep out the opposition and to compete at the breakdown. After a series of strong drives from Caldy, Lymm managed a successful jackle and were awarded a penalty to relieve the pressure.

A few more plays from either side and the final whistle went.

Full Time: Lymm 29 – 26 Caldy

Both teams had small benches but both delivered a highly entertaining game full of commitment.

This was the the 4th game of the season for the U16’s and they finish September – played 4 won 4.