Caldy Junior Colts 14 – 24 Lymm Junior Colts

Lymm Junior Colts Battle Through to Cheshire Cup Semi Final

This weekend Lymm junior colts travelled away to Caldy in the Cheshire Cup quarter final. Both teams know each other well with Caldy edging it in the previous two league encounters this season. However since Christmas, Lymm are unbeaten and as holders of the Cheshire Cup were determined to give a good account of themselves.

Conditions were perfect with a light breeze and a dry pitch.

Lymm kicked off and Caldy got on the front foot from the off with some strong carries into the Lymm half. Lymm defended strongly but struggled to get out of their own half. Caldy were relentless and forced several errors however Lymm matched them in defensive intensity. The deadline was broken however when a Lymm clearance from inside their own 22 was charged down and fell into Caldy hands and dived over close to the posts – try to Caldy which was converted.

Lymm rallied well after the setback however and drove hard into the Caldy half from the restart. Lymm patiently worked through the phases and continued moving the ball into the wide channels. Lymm were unlucky not to get over the line when tackled short on a couple of occasions. Unhindered Lymm continued to challenge and just before half time Lymm moved the ball to the left wing and got over for what appeared a good try. The touch judge was clear the player was not in touch but the referee over ruled the decision.

Half Time: Caldy 0 – 7 Lymm

Lymm were galvanised after the break and determined not to let the game get away from them after a heroic first half.

Lymm started strongly and put the hosts under significant pressure. They continued to pound away at the home defensive line and their perseverance finally paid off with a try to the side of the posts. The conversion was succesful 7-7 – game on.

From the restart Lymm again went on the offensive and drove deep into Caldys half. Superb aggressive defence saw Caldys ball carriers driven backwards time and again. From one of these the referee adjudged the tackle to be high – which felt harsh in a well disciplined game. Caldy reacted quickly however from the penalty and managed to get away from a couple of loose tackles and broke to score from their own 22 against the run of play. 14-7 – Lymm behind again.

Lesser teams would have maybe let their heads go down at this point, however this Lymm team have had to scrap from behind several times this season and they weren’t going to go quietly.

Time and again Lymm went through their phases relentlessly knocking at the door of the Caldy defences. After several repeated infringements at the breakdown Caldy lost a player to a yellow card. Lymm sensed the opportunity and grabbed it with both hands and from some strong drives again got over the line adjacent to the posts. The conversion was successful – 14-14 with 15 minutes to go.

From the kick off Lymm took the ball up strongly getting back over the halfway line and into the Caldy half. Each time Caldy managed to gain some relief from a Lymm error, Lymm went straight back at them kicking for territory and a strong kick chase and the next 10 minutes were played primarily in the Caldy half.

It was from this platform that 2 minutes later Lymm worked the ball wide to the Caldy right hand side. In the smallest of areas Lymms fullback got around the home winger and ran the ball over the line and touched down under the posts. The kick was successfully converted and Lymm had the lead 14-21.

Again the ball was kicked straight to Lymms midfield at the kick off who moved the ball wide and got over the halfway line and started to build a platform to attack. Caldy were tiring at this stage and Lymms perseverance paid off again with a string of penalties for offences at the breakdown. With a 7 point lead, Lymm were awarded a penalty near to the 22 and opted to go for the posts – the ball sailed straight through the uprights to make it 14-24.

The next few minutes ticked by and whilst Caldy pressed, Lymm were in no mood to let them back into the game.

he final whistle blew to great celebrations from the visiting players and supporters. A tough game had been won by a narrow margin – but on the whole Lymm had deserved the victory but well done to Caldy for another strong performance.

Full Time: Caldy 14 – 24 Lymm