Lymm’s Young Guns earn Bonus Point Win
Following an excellent pre match luncheon for 70, hosted by new Club President, Neil Kelly, a bumper crowd turned up to a much changed Beechwood, to see the opening game of the season. The venerated old first team pitch, indeed the only pitch for many years, is now a vast swathe of tarmac awaiting its 4G covering and its opening in October. The equally distinguished old club house and changing rooms have been tastefully refurbished throughout, decorated and revitalised and even the wrinkled retainer, Tommy, is now replaced as the ticket collector, by a woman of all things!!! (Sorry Yvonne).
Yes, change and youthfulness is in the air at Lymm, and not just off the pitch. The match day team sheet featured at least 5 under 21’s and no fewer than 14 of the 18 man squad, have come through the club’s junior system. As noted in coach Fletcher’s programme notes this youthfulness and lack of bulk means Lymm need to play expansive and athletic rugby. Their opposition, newly promoted Blackburn, have recruited well and have a different modus operandi. Their very burly pack facilitates a far more pragmatic approach, one route rugby, bursting holes in the defensive line repeatedly. This approach will serve them well in this league and meant for an interesting clash of styles today.
The visitors started by far the stronger. Using their tight game to great effect. Within minutes of the kick off, they had broken Lymm’s rather sleepy defensive line, advanced the ball deep into Lymm territory and won a line out from a penalty. Lymm defended this well but back again came the Blackburn pack. Unfortunately, in the act of clearing Lymm’s line, Tom Bray suffered suspected concussion and was forced from the pitch and on to hospital. Lymm were forced to reshuffle the back line. Richard McEvoy moved to centre and Alfie Simpson came onto the left wing.
Blackburn were clearly ready to show they belong at this level and again battered their way forward. A penalty kick for a 5m line out was their reward and they had little difficulty in scoring via an impressive rolling maul, hooker, Wilf Whittle touching down. The conversion missed, 0 – 5. For much of the next 10 minutes Blackburn had the better of the game, and continued to break the Lymm line. Their attack though lacked a finishing edge, and they struggled to give good ball to their winger at crucial times. Lymm meanwhile were now clearly shaking off pre-season rustiness, and gradually adjusting defensively. Against the run of play Lymm then created a fine try. Blackburn’s frailty when going to the wing gave Lymm possession from a knock on in the visitors half. Some controlled rugby advanced Lymm into a position where the backs could use their speed, and crisp interplay between James Kimber, and Joe Senior allowed Cormac Nolan to score in the left corner. Tying the score with the conversion missed, 5 – 5.
Immediately Lancastrian resolve came into play and Blackburn wasted no time in taking back the lead. They won the ball from the re-start, patiently bludgeoned their way down field and their No8, Sam Gale, broke a tackle to score near the posts, Leon Fifield adding the extras, 5 – 12.
From the re start Blackburn again launched an attack. Missed tackles allowed the visitors to attack down Lymm’s left, and their winger looked clear when James Kimber hauled him down. Again a knock on brought the attack to an end, other attacks would also be thwarted the same way. Lymm though had shown moments of threat, and as half-time beckoned scored another excellent try. This time Nolan would be the creator, attacking down the left wing, dummying the defender before feeding young Alfie Simpson who scampered away to score and with Nolan’s conversion give Fletcher’s men parity at the half, 12 – 12.
Lymm had clearly been encouraged to wake up by the coaching team during the interval. They came out as inspired as Blackburn had been in the first half. From the kick off, Lymm gained good field position before Scott Redfern kicked deep. The bounce of the ball flummoxed the full back and Kimber was on hand to retrieve the loose ball and offload in one movement to Joe Senior, who gambolled clear to give the home side a 19 – 12 lead with Nolan’s conversion.
Lymm launched other attacks through Rick McEvoy and Simpson but poor timing of passes and runs meant they came to nought. The game then became quite messy. The teams took it in turns to create half chances that were knocked on or passes thrown into touch. Lymm saw both Matty Hand and Captain Adam Bray withdrawn with injury, but despite being undersized, the ferocity of their defence kept the visitors at bay. Finally Lymm added to their tally. Nolan was again at the heart of the attack, capitalising on the ground made by the relentless Joe Watson. Aaron Rasheed joined the attack and Kimber was on hand to finish, scoring powerfully in the right corner, the conversion was missed, 24 – 12.
More scrappy play ensued before Blackburn once more found their composure. With 73 minutes on the clock, another score from tight play brought them right back into the game and the conversion brought them to within a try of drawing the game, 24 – 19.
Man of the Match, Joe Watson would once more drag Lymm forward and with the game nearing its end, Senior came close once more, but no more points followed.
Full Time 24 -19.
Both teams should be reasonably satisfied with aspects of their performance. Blackburn can clearly compete at this level and were the dominant team for significant portions of the game. Lymm, though not at their defensive best, showed how effective their back line can be, and how their energetic forwards can wear teams down. Watson, Riddell, Nolan, Kimber and Ali Sutherland all stood out for their impact and a bonus point win was a positive start to the season.
Coach Fletcher commented. ‘Really happy to start the season with a 5 point win. We knew that Blackburn would be physical and direct, unfortunately we didn’t deal with that very well, we let them make far too many yards.
‘Having said that, I thought that our attack looked sharp throughout and we scored some nice tries’.
A big thank you to today’s referee, Mr Ben Wood and Touch Judges, Neil Borthwick of Lymm and Graham Bancroft of Blackburn.
Next Saturday, Lymm make the long journey up to Alnwick in Northumberland.
Team:
1) Gav Woods, 2) James Pitcher, 3) Matty Hand, 4) Joe Watson, 5) Aaron Rasheed, 6) Adam Bray (C), 7) Rory Riddell, 8) Ali Sutherland, 9) Tom Shard, 10) Scott Redfern, 11) Richard McEvoy, 12) James Kimber, 13) Tom Bray, 14) Joe Senior, 15) Cormac Nolan, 16) Jordan Widdrington, 17) Will Baldwin, 18) Alfie Simpson.
Error: Contact form not found.
Thankyou
The form was submitted successfully.
You will now be redirected to our payment page.
