Lymm Eagles 82 – 7 Knutsford 1st XV

Eagles Maintain Winning Ways Against Depleted Knutsford

On a cold, grey and drizzling Saturday afternoon, Lymm Eagles continued their winning streak of 8 matches in a stuttering game against a depleted Knutsford side.  Full credit must go to both sides for getting this game played in a good spirit and putting pride aside to enjoy a game of rugby, regardless of the score.

Following last week’s short notice concede by Liverpool Medical School, the Eagles were looking forward to a run out against local rivals Knutsford 1sts after a few weeks off.  The games against Knutsford last season had been brutal contests, with one of the fixtures ending in a 3-0 victory for Lymm and several red cards shown.  In preparation for this, captain Olly Brown had put together a strong squad, with the added luxury of 5 subs.  However, upon arrival at Crouchley Lane, Lymm were met with some unexpected news.  Like a number of other clubs at this level, Knutsford were experiencing problems with numbers of players available each week and unfortunately could only raise a side of 8 for the short trip up the M6 to Lymm.  As Knutsford required a minimum of 9 players to start the game, this was obviously not enough (and would certainly have been no fun to play).  The options were to call off the game or try and lend some players and make a game of it.  The Eagles really appreciated the fact that Knutsford had actually bothered to turn up to fulfil the fixture, albeit shorthanded, rather than just conceding.  Accordingly, and so that all the lads could get a run out (and also not waste the many metres of electrical tape that had already been applied to weak joints), Lymm offered to lend Knutsford all their subs and another player so that both sides could field 14 men.  A massive thank you to Ben Stroud, Martin Henderson, Dave Coon, Josh McKean, Aldin Zillic and Jez Ure (playing against his son Max) for donning the yellow of Knutsford’s for the 1^st half.

This still left Lymm with a strong looking 14 players.  George Harrison stepped up to the front row to keep the scrums competitive.  Mike Clarke, Max Ure and Rick McEvoy returned from 2s duty.  Scrum half Chris Kinsey was reunited with fly half Alan Reddecliff whilst Lymm chose to play a full back line and dispose with a back row.  For Knutsford, their need was mainly in the forwards and “chose” instead to play without a winger.  It was interesting to note that at one stage this meant that the Knutsford scrum contained 6 Lymm players, with players like veteran scrum half Martin “Henders” Henderson taking up the unfamiliar role of flanker in the back row.  Both teams would want to claim the bragging rights in the forwards.

The first half kicked off and the first few minutes were a tight affair.  Knutsford did look good with the ball in hand, but once Lymm got their hands on the ball, started to move through the gears with strong runs from Kieran Williams and George Harrison pushing play up the field.  Good tackles though from Ben Stroud and Aldin Zillic kept Lymm from ploughing through the middle.  This however tied up the Knutsford forwards and quick thinking from centre Tom Baker got the ball out wide for Reddecliff to dive over in the corner.  The conversion was missed (5-0).  Despite knowing they probably had the upper hand in the running game, Lymm decided to kick possession away several times.  One clearance found a loitering prop Dave Coon in his more natural position of full back.  After a 20metre run up, Dave managed to run straight into the shoulder of the onrushing Williams.  Some would call it a high tackle, but David told me afterwards it felt like GBH and probably should have been a red card and a criminal conviction with a minimum of 5 years.  However, it did start a worrying trend of Lymm being penalised for several high tackles that the lads will need to cut out in more serious games.  With the ball in hand, Lymm were really dangerous and started to cut through a visibly demoralised “KnutsLymm” team.  On 7 minutes, Liam “Sully” Sullivan showed he is still the fastest man in the squad by slaloming through from his own 22 to touch down (12-0). (I won’t say converted by Macca for each try, all tries after the first try were converted by Macca, although he kindly dropped goaled all the subsequent conversions from behind the posts to save this short’s wearing scribe having to delve into the bushes to rescue the ball!!)

This try was quickly followed again by a try for Rhys Jones, who chimed in from full back to touch down under posts on 10 minutes (19-0).  The line out was functioning well, with Mike Clarke and Max Ure ruling the air, although this wasn’t difficult with Knutsford lacking a recognised jumper!  It was off a driving maul set up from a lineout, that Jim France broke clear and was only felled 10m short of the line.  From the resulting ruck, Kinner sent everyone the wrong way with an outrageous dummy and strolled in for a try (26-0).  It only took another 4 minutes for Reece Forrest to go almost the full length of the pitch for a great individual try (33-0) after only 20 minutes.  Straight from kick off, the ball was shipped wide and “KnutsLymm” had no answer to the pace of Sully, who darted over for a try (40-0).  A minute later, a very frustrated Macca almost wrestled the ball off his own team mates to force his way over the line to score a try and update his excel spreadsheet of rugby achievements (47-0).

Whilst it was great that Lymm were able to bolster their points difference, a couple of the Knutsford players were on the point of walking off and even the ref said he would stop the game if the game continued to not be a contest.  Lymm used this warning to take the game back to basics and started to try and bring their forwards more into the game again, even taking a few voluntary tackles to set up rucks.  This actually allowed Knutsford some respite and they slowly creeped back into the game.  Lymm were again penalised for several high tackles, including the sight of the diminutive Kinner trying to remove 2^nd Row Jez Ures head which caused several smirks on the sidelines.  Knutsford managed to use these penalties to piggyback up the pitch, whilst their scrum was functioning well, led ably by Dave and Aldin in the front row.  The Knutsford zippy scrum half was causing all sorts of issues as well and the Lymm defence was well tested.  Finally on 33 minutes, Dave Coon took a quick tap penalty and was hauled down a few metres short of the line.  A brutal clear out by Jez Ure on poor Alan R, who normally isn’t found near rucks, left a small gap in the defence and the scrum half darted through for a converted try (which evil Max Ure tried to claim he held up!!) (47-7).  Knutsford tried to press their momentum immediately using the same tactics, but stung by conceding, were hit by some crunching Lymm hits, first by hooker Craig Capewell and then followed by a late hit by son Max on his poor unsuspecting father Jez.  Jez got up proclaiming how much he loved his other children more, whilst Dave Coon suggested that Max and Keiran could share a prison cell, such was the viciousness of the assault.  The half was ended with another try from long range, with Reece Forrest going over for his 2^nd try (54-7).

Half Time: Lymm Eagles  54 – 7 Knutsford 1st XV

Lymm changed players round, with Henders, Josh and Ben Stroud returning for Jim France, Reece and Mike Clarke.  Dave, Jez and Aldin stayed in place to keep the scrums contested.  The feedback from Olly was to use the experience for the Eagles to practice their moves and perfect the set pieces that were looking a little dodgy.

The 2^nd half was a lot more of an even contest, although it was debatable whether that was Lymm easing off or KnutsLymm getting better.  Unfortunately, the contest was made even more of a challenge, as in the first 10 minutes of the half, Knutsford lost both a 2^nd row player and Jez Ure, who, citing a leg injury, needed to head off early to make changes to his last will and testament.  Lymm though lost Tom Baker also to injury, who possibly would have played on in other circumstances, but today was not the day to carry on regardless.  This meant there was lots of space on the large 1^st team pitch.  One player who you do not want to give space to is Sully.  On 54 minutes, the ball was cleared long and fielded well by Sully, who then carved up the Knutsford pack for his hat-trick try (61-7).  Hopefully he can score a few more to catch up Macca in the try scoring.  It took only 2 minutes for Lymm to score again.  On 56 mins Max Ure, from just inside his own half, broke through several lacklustre tackles and almost made it to the try line before passing selflessly inside to Kinner, who then selfishly ignored the supporting Josh McKean to go in for his 2^nd try (68-7).  The referee at this point said he would end the game as the gap was now 60 points.  Full credit again must go to Knutsford, whose captain said he wanted to play on.  I don’t think that message got through to the Knutsford No. 10, who walked off and left his team to it.

Lymm continued to pile on pressure, but Knutsford refused to let them have all the possession.  Mike Clarke was causing a nuisance at the lineout and the nippy Knutsford scrum half was everywhere.  However, an excellent turnover by George Harrison saw the ball in the hands of Alan R, who weaved, dummied and ignored his support runners to go in for his 2^nd try (75-7).  Knutsford strung together a final attack, as Reece broke clear in his own half, with only the aging Reddecliff to beat.  However, even Reece’s relatively young body gave up on him and he was tackled just short.  The rest of the Knutsford attack was stymied by another high tackle from brutal head-hunter Kinner, who had enjoyed winding up the emotional 15 from Knutsford all day.  The game was ended on 67 minutes, as a crossfield kick from Alan was collected in the in-goal area by Sully for the final try of the day and the referee had seen enough.

Full Time: Lymm Eagles  82 – 7 Knutsford 1st XV

A strange game of rugby and probably not one that will be remembered at the end of the season, but this scribe probably got more pleasure supporting the endeavours and efforts of the hybrid KnutsLymm team (I probably should say that I was still extremely proud of our David playing a full game for them).  Whilst the scoreline was definitely one-sided, credit must be given to every player out there for giving it their best and having a go.  At the end of the day, 28 players got a game of rugby that probably wouldn’t have happened in years gone by.  A massive thank you to the Knutsford lads that came over for the game. You are a credit to your Club and we hope you are rewarded for your efforts upon your return.  We hope your situation improves.  For the Eagles, the result keeps them top of the leagues with 8 wins from 8 games.  This has been a fantastic start to the season and hopefully the Eagles can keep this run going for a little longer yet.

Special mentions this week go to the lads who put on a shirt for Knutsford.  Never easy to play against your mates, especially when one of them is a Viking or another one, a psychopath trying to take your head off.  Mentions must go to the half back combination of Kinner and Al, who marshal us so well.  Sully also to get 4 tries showed again what a threat he is, both on the pitch and to Macca at the top of the try charts.  However, in this scribe’s humble opinion, I have awarded man of the match this week to my favourite captain Olly Brown, for his efforts in getting this game played, but also his all round display.  Well done, Olly.  Dick of the day goes to injured 2^nd row Adam “John Terry” Halford, who turned up with 5 minutes left and then proceeded to help himself to the changing room beers.  Thankfully Al put him in his place by battering him in an arm wrestle in the clubhouse afterwards.

The Eagles welcome Buxton 1sts next Saturday to Crouchley Lane for a rearranged fixture, kick off 14:15 (subject to change!).  All welcome to attend.

Team: 1) George Harrison 2) Craig Capewell 3) Olly Brown (C) 4) Max Ure 5) Mike Clarke 6) Jim France 7) Kieran Williams 9) Chris Kinsey 10) Alan Reddecliff 11) Reece Forrest 12) Tom Baker 13) Rick McEvoy 14) Liam Sullivan 15) Rhys Jones REP 16) David Coon 17) Martin Henderson 18) Ben Stroud 19) Josh McKean 20) Aldin Zillic 21) Jez Ure

Report by David and Peter Coon