Under 15’s Triumphant in Cheshire Bowl Final

On Friday 28th April, we welcomed our friends Chester RFC to Crouchley Lane for the U15 ‘s Cheshire Bowl final. The pitch was bathed in sunshine on a warm evening with a large and excited crowd looking forward to the match – the stage was set for an entertaining game.

Chester RFC were fresh from a successful tour to one of English Rugby’s heartlands down in Gloucestershire, chalking up victories over Cheltenham and Cirencester. Impressive wins and confidence was high.

Lymm had also impressed with recent victories over Wirral RFC and Ramsey RFC the previous weekend and Hitchin RFC and a draw with an impressive Liverpool Collegiate team the week before. Confidence was high in the Lymm camp too.

Chester kicked off and Lymm started well with some powerful drives up field. Lymm moved the ball smartly into space but Chester equally defended with great determination. Lymm managed to keep applying sustained pressure and Chester worked hard to get out of their own half but each time they managed to gain some ground – Lymm would reapply the pressure and pin Chester back. This pressure eventually told when Lymm managed to get over the line for the first try of the game. 5-0.

Chester responded well and for a long period honours were even between the well matched sides. Lymm stuck to their game plan however and managed to get over for a second try nearer to the posts this time which was duly converted, 12-0.

Lymm continued to press and were unfortunate when what looked like a try was adjudged a double movement.

Chester rallied well after this and got on the front foot and started to gain some territory using their powerful pack with some impressive driving mauls from line outs. Just before half time one of these brought just rewards from a line out on the Lymm 5 metre line which led to a well executed try. The conversion from a difficult angle was succesful – half time score 12-7.

Both sides made substitutions at half time and Chester started well, buoyed by their previous score. Lymm managed to absorb the pressure though defending well and kicking well out of hand with a strong kick chase to set up some good field positions in the Chester half.

Lymm were patient in their build up play and after several well worked phases managed to get over for their third try of the game. 17-7.

Increasingly as the second half went on, Lymm started to find a bit more space and through good movement of the ball to the wide areas managed to gain territory and after solid recycling work got over the line for what appeared to be another try – however it was adjudged to be held up over the line.

A goal line drop out ensued and Lymm duly returned the kick and returned to their game plan and maintained a period of sustained pressure. Chester’s defence was resolute but the pressure eventually told and Lymm got over for another try which was duly converted 24-7.

With 10 minutes to go, you could see both sides were feeling it after a pulsating game. It was at this point the game opened up a bit and Lymm enjoyed some success from kick returns from deep in their own 22, one of which led to a length of the field try from Lymm with some fantastic pace, movement and lines of running. Impressive too was the support from team mates. The score was duly converted well from a tricky angle. 31-7.

The final few minutes saw Lymm manage to get over for another score wide out after more patient phase play and strong drives out wide. The conversion was missed and the final whistle was blown – final score Lymm 36 Chester 7.

Lymm were delighted with the win but commiserations must go to Chester who played extremely well throughout.

The game was played in a fantastic spirit by both teams and was a brilliant showcase for U15 rugby and for Cheshire rugby as a whole.