Presidents Welcome to Rossendale

This week we extend a warm welcome to our visitors from the high peaks of Lancashire, Rossendale, who travel to today’s game having already secured the away games victory earlier in the season at Marl Pits by 39 points to 22. Last week they did Lymm a small favour by beating our nearest league rivals, Alnwick 9-5, in what sounds like a close game. This combined with our excellent “fifth win on the bounce” saw us move up to 5^th in the table. This despite a significant number of forced changes to the previous weeks sides and once again the Lymm defence remained impenetrable.

The game today is the rearranged fixture from the week prior to Christmas which unfortunately had to be postponed due to an outbreak of Covid amongst the Rossendale players. Whilst it is clear we are far from out of the woods, regarding the virus, it does appear that we are possibly at the beginning of the end! Let’s hope so.

On the basis that this was a free game week, me, and several of the “Alis”, with a combined age of 451 years between the 7 of us, have booked a weekend away skiing so regrettably we shall not be at the game in person today. We will however be reliving several of our own exploits from our playing days, raising a glass or two and generally growing old disgracefully, whilst still enjoying the friendship and bond created by Lymm RFC over last 40-50 years!!!

Thanks again to all the “Old Forkers” who continue to turn out in all weathers and produce fantastic surfaces as well as keeping all the grounds in first class order condition. The more “Old Forkers “we have the more the shared load is and apprenticeships are being offered to anyone over 60 who has some spare time to enjoy excellent company and scenery. Likewise, if you have a particular professional skill that you feel may be of use to the club please let me know and I will happily put you in touch with the appropriate person.

Congratulations to Harrison Krippner and Soheil Kakai for their selection into the North of England U18 squad. Well done to you both, we are all very proud of your achievement and look forwards to seeing you play in our senior teams in the future!

Finally, it is with mixed emotions that we must report that Tom Bray our current Club Captain has had to make the difficult decision to retire due to persistent concussion injuries. Tom has been a fantastic player and servant to the club and whilst we shall miss him on the pitch, I am sure the coaching team will benefit from his experience. Thanks for everything Tom and we look forward to the next chapter – an interview with Tom will be published shortly on the web site.

Best wishes

Neil Kelly – President