Lymm Eagles 26 – 21 Macclesfield 3rd XV
Eagles Team Match Report | Saturday February 22 2025
Eagles Hold Firm in Battle of Attrition
Lymm Eagles got their season back on track with a nail-biting victory against fellow 3rd team Macclesfield 3s. This was a real battle of attrition, with neither side giving an inch in both defence and attack and the result being in the balance right up to the full time whistle to provide a thoroughly entertaining game.
The Eagles entered this game on the back of losing their 100% winning record to Liverpool Medics (apologies, for no match report last week as this scribe and two sons were required away at Rochdale with the 2s). The defeat had really taken the wind out of the Eagles sails, and it took all the persuasive skills of Captain Olly Brown to get the team and morale back together for this weekend. As a club, Lymm are really starting to feel the pinch of an injury crisis, with the three senior teams all struggling with availability. Coupled with injuries and an ill-timed half term holidays, the Eagles were missing 18 players who had played 4 or more Eagles games this season (yes, that’s right, this scribe is sad and keeps records of this). The irony of this match is that this game was originally supposed to be played in December, when Lymm had a strong squad of 20 but Macc asked for a postponement rather than concede as they were lacking players. Now it was Lymm who were struggling.
Despite painting this picture of player poverty, Olly still managed to put together a good squad of 18 players. He had managed to secure 20 players, with Josh McKean only wanting 10 minutes to test out his ankle that had sidelined him for all the post-Christmas fixtures and Tom Graham also wanting 10 minutes to play alongside his fellow U14s coaches and impress the spectating U14 players. However, Macc denied the request, insisting that Lymm stick to the 3 sub rule. It seemed like the goodwill gesture shown in the reverse fixture, when Lymm leant Macc 4 players to get the game played, had been forgotten. Oh well, thanks for making yourselves available Josh and Tom.
Senior Colt, Louis Hind, made his first start for the Eagle’s in the back row, and was immediately given the job of leading the lineouts. Tallis Keeler making only his 2nd appearance for the Eagles and was a welcome addition on the wing. Toby Phillips was playing only his 3rd game in two years following serious knee injuries.
The pitch was in really good condition and Macc kicked off the game in glorious sunshine. The first few minutes were all Macc, with Lymm stunned by the onslaught and the ferocity of the tackling from the Macc forwards. This allowed Macc to push Lymm back into their own 22. Lymm managed to knock the ball on and the skilful Macc 10 managed to recover the ball quickly. A well weighted chip over the defence allowed the Macc centre to catch and go over for a converted try after only 7 minutes (0-7).
Not the start Lymm had in mind and Lymm set about trying to get a foothold in the match. However, any momentum was quickly lost by poor handling errors or wrong choices in the ruck. Macc were loving this and their enthusiasm was in overdrive. This led to a few handbags being drawn, with even some subs and spectators getting manhandled whilst breaking up one particular sideline scuffle between prop Dave Coon and the Macc 2nd row. Thanks to Tom Graham for breaking it up and hope Olly Ches was not badly winded. Lymm finally managed to secure some ball and on 13 minutes, a lovely subtle pass from centre Tom Baker on half way released fellow centre Rick McEvoy, who slalomed his way through the Macc half to touch down for a try in the corner, although his conversion attempt was unsuccessful (7-5).
The game settled down for the next 10mins, with defence from both teams being good. Louis Hind and Ben Stroud were doing their best to secure ball from the lineouts, whilst the added bulk of Jez Ure and George Harrison gave Lymm the edge in the scrum. However, it was Macc that struck again next. On 24 minutes, a lineout was won by Macc and the ball made it to their centre, who proceeded to ghost through the Lymm back line with some comical “your man” tackling attempts from Lymm, before passing inside for the flying Macc winger to score under the posts (5-14).
Captain Olly read the riot act, likening the defensive effort to U12s rugby, which seemed slightly harsh on the U12s!
However, Olly’s harsh words seemed to finally give some spark that they needed. The scrum was really starting to function well and on 27 minutes, Lymm managed to crumple the Macc scrum against the head. This secured quick ball for scrum half Chris Kinsey, who fed fly half Alan Reddecliff, who, with a drop of the shoulder, shrugged off the Macc defence to go over for a try, converted by McEvoy (12-14).
Dreams of being able to use the scrum as a weapon were quickly dashed when Macc announced their prop has suffered an injury and scrums would have to go uncontested (although the prop was still able to carry on playing!). The rest of the half was played without further score.
Half Time: Lymm Eagles 12 – 14 Macclesfield
A few harsh words were had at half time, with the forwards being accused of being scared and not offering themselves around the park, whilst the backs seemed to be making really poor decisions, with Reece Forrest and Tallis Keeler, justifiably aggrieved at not getting a sniff on either wing. When Lymm retained the ball, things went well. Unfortunately, they just didn’t keep hold of it enough. Nick Ashton was introduced into the pack and Rob Worsfold, a late addition to the squad after being guilt tripped by his fellow U14 coaches into playing, was brought on to try and give Lymm an outlet in the backs.
These changes had an immediate effect, with Lymm trundling up the pitch well, with Matt Grellier, Soheil Kahaie and Olly Brown leading the charge. Rob had 3 line breaks in the first 10 minutes of the half and only a few basic errors stopped what looked like almost certain scores. On 49 minutes, centre Tom Baker shamed the Lymm forwards by executing a perfect tackle, jackal and line break in one fluid motion. His break took Lymm to just outside the Macc 22, and quick ball allowed Alan to break the line before passing back inside to a supporting Kinna to dive over (although this scribe believes that Kinna may have misread the pitch conditions, as his attempted slide over ended resulted him taking a huge divot out of the pitch and an ungainly bounce over the line). Fortunately, the refs joking suggestion for a TMO review, as McEvoy kicked the conversion, were thankfully ignored (19-14).
This gave Lymm the lead for the first time in the match, but Macc refused to give up and came back strongly, their full back the pick of their players with the ball in hand. Several long kicks had to be well marshalled by Reece Forrest and Toby Phillips, whilst handling errors and penalties were still proving an Achilles heel for the Eagles. However, Lymm were putting their own pressure on and two Macc players required treatment for knocks, with Olly Brown attempting to provide on pitch helpful advice, (possibly out of guilt, as it may have been his physical clearing out technique that contributed to the situation). The next score was crucial and it came on 63 minutes. Macc were on the attack midway into Lymm’s half when a dropped pass was fly hacked forward by McEvoy, who managed another controlled kick forward and win the foot race for the touchdown for a self-converted try (26-14).
If Lymm hoped that this would finally break Macc, they were mistaken. Macc redoubled their efforts and it was only handling errors that kept them out. There were also some great turnovers by Lymm, first by Matt “the growler” Grellier and Martin “Zinzan” Henderson using all his rugby wiles and dark arts to snaffle a ball from a Macc maul. Unfortunately, Lymm lost fly half Reddecliff to a dead leg on 74 minutes and only a minute later, Lymm were unable to rearrange the defensive line quick enough and allowed Macc to go in under the posts for a converted try (26-21).
A nervy last 5 minutes ensued, with Macc slowly inching their way up the pitch. As the ref called last play, Matt Grellier managed to rip the ball out of a Macc player’s hand. His attempted kick for touch didn’t quite make it, but his blushes were spared as the ref deemed that the Macc player had got his knee to the floor a split second before Matt ripped the ball and gave Macc a penalty. This was kicked deep into the Lymm 22. From the lineout, a maul was set up and repelled and a few seconds later, Captain Olly got his hands on the ball and the ref awarded Lymm a penalty. Olly’s maniacal laughter could be heard from the touchline which seemed to seriously antagonise the Macc players. A minute of pushing and shoving followed, whilst Olly, rather creepily, kept laughing, probably from sheer exhaustion. When things finally settled down, McEvoy tapped the penalty to put the ball out for full time.
Full Time: Lymm Eagles 26 – 21 Macclesfield
A huge result in the grand scheme of the season, with Lymm not allowing a losing run to start whilst also keeping the pressure on at the top of the table. With so many unavailable, it was testament to the squad that the Eagles have, that they were able to go toe to toe in a tough match and come out on top. Well done to the lads today, you all stood up and stood tall. However, this scribe suggests you shouldn’t stand so tall in the tackles for future matches as there were too many penalties for high tackles in this game. Bend your backs and go for the legs! (Old School comment).
The referee thanked both teams after the game for a thoroughly competitive fixture and a very enjoyable afternoon. The referee today was excellent, allowing the game to flow and not letting the handbags ruin the game, well done Sir, A+ performance. A big thanks to Macc for the part they played today. All jokes about selection aside, you were excellent today and represented your club well. Our man of the match pick was your silver haired 2nd row, who can still pack a punch and was everywhere today.
For Lymm, there were some excellent performances. Louis Hind had a fine debut and did really well in the lineout and didn’t look out of place in the team. Matt Grellier led the forwards well, taking on the “Kieran” role and his defence in the 2nd half was integral. Tom Baker swung the attacking edge in the 2nd half in Lymm’s favour, whilst Rick McEvoy proved once again he is one of the best finishers in Rugby (not just this league). However, in this scribes humble and totally biased opinion, man of the match today goes to Captain Olly Brown, who ran his blood to water and carried relentlessly all day. Well done Olly, a well- deserved (and legitimate) award.
Next weekend, the Eagles make the short journey to local rivals Knutsford in what should be another tough battle. 3pm kick-off (TBC) and all are most welcome.
Tries: Richard McEvoy (13,65), Alan Reddecliff (27), Chris Kinsey (49)
Conversions: Richard McEvoy (27,49,65)
Team: 1) George Harrison 2) Olly Brown (C) 3) David Coon 4) Ben Stroud 5) Jez Ure 6) Louis Hind 7) Soheil Kahaie 8) Matt Grellier 9) Chris Kinsey 10) Alan Reddecliff 11) Tallis Keeler 12) Tom Baker 13) Rick McEvoy 14) Reece Forrest 15) Toby Phillips Bench: 16) Nick Ashton 17) Martin Henderson 18) Rob Worsfold
Travelling Subs: 19) Josh McKean 20) Tom Graham
Match Report: Pete & David Coon