Lymm 30 – 26 Leeds Tykes

Lymm tame Tykes to make it 9 from 9

The first properly autumnal day of the year saw an exhilarating top of the table clash at Beechwood.

Just a point separated the two unbeaten teams at the start of the day, and for Lymm followers the contest would answer the question that has been at the back of everyone’s minds – is this lofty position a true reflection of the team’s ability? This though is clearly not a doubt that has affected the players and coaching staff, as they put on a very confident and contained performance.

Lymm would be missing fly half maestro Tom Shard (second highest points scorer in the league) and powerhouse prop Ralph McEachran. To manage the lack of Shard the coaching team effectively went with two number 12’s, with Sam Wadsworth donning the number 10 shirt. This was to prove very impactful on the final score.

Leeds started very strongly, quickly showing their power as they threatened Lymm’s line. Lymm were able to repel these raids but were giving away penalties, one of which resulted in a line out 5 metres from the try line. The subsequent maul sucked in the Lymm defence leaving the Leeds winger in acres of space on the right, and the fly half found him easily with a long kick pass to open the scoring. 0 v 5. The conversion was missed.

The restart saw Lymm finally get into the Leeds half, but a kick ricocheted off a Leeds player and they were able to kick long and again Leeds were deep in Lymm territory. A penalty to Lymm at the lineout allowed them some relief and they then began to find some possession, and go forward.

A couple of Lymm attacks were thwarted by knock-ons, but Leeds were now being penalised allowing Lymm to keep the pressure on. A high tackle on half way saw Leeds number 8 yellow carded. Lymm chose to kick for a lineout rather than the posts, and were now 12 metres from the try line. From the line out Lymm scored the most un-Lymm like of tries, an irresistible 12 metre long rolling maul. 5 v 5. Conversion missed.

Lymm then scored a very Lymm try straight from the restart. Wadsworth fielded the kick and drove hard into the guts of the Leeds defence. The ball then found its way to Paddy Jennings who made yards down the left before feeding centre Toby Wilson. Wilson kicked on and chased his kick which was spilled just short of the try line by the Leeds defender and Wilson was able to roll over the line. Wadsworth converted well from the wing, 12 v 5.

Soon after Wilson would leave the pitch injured.

Having the greater of the possession Lymm gained another 3 points from a penalty, 15 v 5. But Leeds responded well and found themselves once more in scoring positions. This time coming away with 5 points after some nice link play in midfield. The converted try made it 15 v 12. This was the tough match everyone had hoped for, and just before half time Leeds lost their number 11 to injury.

Again Lymm’s response was swift. Jennings caught a clearing kick and then found Wadsworth who broke numerous tackles, and overcame a stumble to score a fine try, 20 v 12.

With time running out in the half Leeds began to pile on even more pressure but time after time Lymm stood firm defending their line. However, each success was followed by a penalty, which meant a large period of extra time.

When Olly Higginson emerged from a maul with the ball it looked as if Lymm had managed to survive the onslaught but rather than kick for touch and end the half they kicked down field, allowing Leeds one more attack. This eventually led to a rather controversial penalty try, and a yellow card for Steve Pilkington. 20 v 19.

Half Time: Lymm 20 v 19 Leeds Tykes

The opening exchanges of the second half were again characterised by Leeds attack meeting Lymm’s defence with neither team able to break the deadlock. The scrums were proving interesting with Leeds being physically dominant but Lymm emerging with penalties going their way. It was one of these scrum penalties that would give Lymm the next score with Wadsworth kicking for goal, 23 v 19.

As Leeds continued to threaten Lymm saw another yellow card, this time for Paddy Jennings for a deliberate knock on, stopping a Leeds long pass to a winger in a dangerous position. The tension was building, and both sides were camped on half way. Lymm though would find a way to score, after Leeds knocked on at base of their own scrum on their 22.

This was followed by a Lymm lineout that saw the ball worked to the captain, Nathan Beesley who had come in from his left wing. In the middle of the field he threw a huge dummy and sliced through the Leeds line to score under the posts, like a knife through butter. The conversion made the score 30 v 19.

With time nearly up and the swollen crowd on tenterhooks, Lymm were trying to run down the clock in their own half. However a piece of careless play saw them penalised at a ruck and Leeds had one last chance to score. They worked the ensuing maul very well to secure their losing bonus point with the last action of the day. It will be interesting to see if that is important at the end of the season.

Full Time: Lymm 30 v 26 Leeds Tykes

Director of Rugby Adam Fletcher was euphoric: ‘What a fantastic day for the club! It was great to have the support from the M&J section, the guard of honour was epic. The rest of the senior squad was in attendance and made their voices heard. I’ve never seen or heard the club like that before.

‘We felt confident going into the match and believed our attack would cause Leeds problems. Our defence was physical and aggressive from the off and it kept knocking Leeds backwards. Tom Bray (Defence Coach) has taken the defence to another level this season and the boys are loving it. The coaches put together a great game plan and it came to fruition.

‘It was great to be involved in a top of the table clash against Leeds. They are a class outfit with strike players all over the pitch. We’re desperate to keep this run going and will have to be at our best again next week at Billingham,’ he concluded.

Team: 1. Dan Hunter (7) 2. Rob Makin* (73) 3. Matty Hand* (116) 4. Ben Thompson (38) 5. Rhys Lilly* (59) 6. Seb Kelly (3)7. Josh Hadland* (45) 8. Oli Higginson* (272) 9. Cal Morris (47) 10. Sam Wadsworth* (25) 11. Paddy Jennings* (61) 12. Toby Wilson (4) 13. Ste Pilkington* (73) 14. Jack Stride (17) 15. Nathan Beesley (Capt) * (76).

Bench: 16. Ben Lilley (6) 17. James Pitcher* (76) 18. Samir Tahraoui (10)
19. Harry Martin (62) 20. Tom Manaton (8)

Match Official: George Ounsley

Match Report: Dave Feryhough

Hooker Rob Makin scores from rolling maul

Toby Wison scores the second try

Fly half Sam Wadsworth on his run

Nathan Beesley scores the winner

Nathan Beesley at his best

M&J’s Provide Amazing Guard of Honour