Billingham 26 – 36 Lymm

Ten out of ten as Lymm’s winning streak continues

Lymm travelled to the North East to play mid-table Billingham with only two changes to the 20 players who played against Leeds, Jack Reynolds returning after his trip to the US and Ethan Kermode on the bench.

After last week’s epic victory against the challenge of second-placed Leeds Tykes, Billingham would test Lymm’s ability to raise their game again, and the team’s powers of recovery.

Conditions were dry with a cold diagonal breeze across the pitch blowing towards the clubhouse end.

Billingham kicked off to Lymm who had the benefit of the breeze in the first half. The kick off resulted in a line-out on the Lymm 10 m line with a Billingham throw. Number 8 Oli Higginson leapt and stole the ball, which wouldn’t be the only time in the game this would occur! In textbook fashion Lymm drove the line-out 5 metres before releasing the ball to scrumhalf Cal Morris who launched one of his trademark up-and-unders.

The Billingham defence did not deal with the bomb and it was retrieved by the chasing full back and skipper Nathan Beasley who immediately utilised the breeze to kick the ball to the corner, where the ball was not dealt with by the home side and left wing Paddy Jennings was on hand to score the first try with two minutes on the clock. The conversion was missed 0 – 5.

Lymm  continued to dominate, moving the ball around with pace and accuracy, which had the Billingham defence chasing shadows and it was after multiple phases of quick ruck ball that it eventually reached Jack Reynolds in space, who ghosted in from 20 metres for a try he converted 0-12.

It was all Lymm and when Billingham did get possession they spilled the ball under pressure from the ferocious Lymm defence.

It came as no surprise as Lymm scored again. They moved the ball around at pace getting behind the Billingham defence with strong running by the forwards, especially Josh Hadland and when behind recycling at speed they gave Billingham little time to reset.

It was after such a play that Lymm ended  5 metres from the try line with Oli Higginson taking  a short pass from Cal Morris to power his way over  for an unstoppable try that Jack Reynolds converted.  That was three in the first 13 minutes and Billingham had hardly touched the ball 0 – 19.

Lymm knew at some stage Billingham would cause problems and on the first real threat Lymm defended well but when they entered the 22, Billingham’s flanker  went through an unguarded ruck to amble in unopposed from 18 metres for a converted try 7 – 19.

The game settled down now with Billingham receiving more possession but were making little impression on the Lymm defence  which held firm and their attack petered out through handling errors or penalties. Normal service was resumed on 25 minutes when smart handling and great lines produced a training ground try for the supporting Jack Stride who scored in the corner for Jack Reynolds to convert from the touch line 7 – 26 and the bonus point try.

As halftime approached Billingham started to put some momentum into their game and broke the defence on a couple of occasions, but good scrambling defence nullified the danger. However just before half time, as the penalty count began to rise Ben Lilley was sin binned, taking one for the team.

Half Time: Billingham 7 – 26 Lymm

The second half started with Lymm kicking off against the breeze that was freshening,  it was the North East after all!

The first 10 minutes were very scrappy, with both sides making errors and continuity was not a word you can associate with the play. However, after 51 minutes, Lymm managed to string together a passing move going Coast-to-Coast ending with a three man overlap and Ollie Higginson deservedly strolled in unopposed from 15 metres for his second try which wasn’t converted 7 – 31.

At this stage it looked like Lymm might run away with the game. However, Billingham had other ideas, starting to dominate possession and territory, breaching Lymm‘s defence with strong running from their big forwards. They were winning the penalty count and gaining momentum scoring two tries, one from short range and one from 60 metres started by a 40 metre kick pass, one of which was converted 19 – 31.

This seemed to galvanise Lymm with centre Steve Pilkington making a good break and nearly providing a scoring pass to his winger Paddy Jennings. However Paddy would not have to wait long as slick handling released him to score his second try with a 20 metre sprint to the corner for an unconverted try 19 – 36.

The last 10 minutes were all Billingham as they strived to score a bonus point try. However Lymm managed to keep them at bay through good defence and Billingham’s tendency to make handling errors at vital times, which allowed Lymm to clear their lines. But the pressure told as the game approached full time. Lymm were penalised numerous times near their line and eventually Billingham crashed over a converted try with the last play.

Full Time: Billingham 26 – 36 Lymm

Lymm started the game at 100 miles an hour passing with great accuracy and running smart angles which were too much for the Billingham defence, and were excellent to watch. It was inevitable at some stage that this would drop off and, as we know, there are no mugs in this league and Billingham are a good competitive side.

Given opportunities they will punish you and in the second half Lymm had only 20% possession and at times tried to force the pass  but overall it was a good performance backing up last week‘s victory. Ollie Higginson was quite rightly named Man of the Match for his all-round contribution which included two tries and domination of the line out but Josh Hadland was a close second in another all-action display.

Next week Lymm entertain our good friends from Wharfedale who enjoyed an excellent victory against Preston by 40 points to 14 last time out. This will be another tough fixture and challenge for the young Lymm side and hopefully another entertaining, exciting game at Beechwood with another bumper crowd expected.

Who would believe at the end of 10 games Lymm would have 10 victories and 50 points! Onward and Upwards, for this young, ambitious team!!

Director of Rugby Adam Fletcher was both excited but pragmatic. ‘The first 20 minutes was exactly what we wanted. We fired out of the blocks and secured the 4 try bonus point.

‘The remaining 60 minutes we weren’t at our best, making some uncharacteristic handling errors and giving away too many penalties.

‘Billingham put us under real pressure just before halftime, but put in a great defensive effort to keep them out which was vital for momentum.

‘The try of the game has to go to Billingham from the cross field kick/pass. However, it was great to get the 5 points up in the North East. Onto next week as we take on Wharfedale at home,’ he concluded.

Team: 1. Dan Hunter (8) 2. Rob Makin* (74) 3. Matty Hand* (117) 4. Ben Thompson (39) 5. Rhys Lilly* (60) 6. Seb Kelly (4)7. Josh Hadland* (46) 8. Oli Higginson* (273) 9. Cal Morris (48) 10. Jack Reynolds (25) 11. Paddy Jennings* (62) 12. Sam Wadsworth* (26) 13. Ste Pilkington* (74) 14. Jack Stride (18) 15. Nathan Beesley (Capt) * (77).

Bench: 16. Ben Lilley (7) 17. James Pitcher* (77) 18. Samir Tahraoui (11) 19. Ethan Kermode (6) 20. Tom Manaton (9)

Referee: Michael Harris

Match Report: Mal Pritchard