Rochdale 2nd XV 10 – 54 Lymm 2nd XV

Unfortunately, due to injuries and absences in the 1st XV, a number of regular 2nd XV players were called up to fill the  vacancies. Despite facing a big game of their own against Liverpool Medics, 5 members of the Eagles squad offered their  services to support the 2s. The addition of David and Tom Coon to the front row together with Ben Stroud at lock and veteran Martin Henderson in the back row, meant that Lymm were able to offer competitive scrums from the start. With his ability to
play in a wide range of positions, centre/wing, Reece Forrest made up the fifth of the drafted players.

The game started at a ferocious pace and Lymm were clearly keen to put the opposition under pressure and demonstrate their ability to use the full width of the pitch to advantage. After only 3 minutes play, a great break by Andy Rowley with a final pass to Toby Philips allowed him to scamper over close to the posts to open the score. Andy Rowley added the conversion points (0 – 7).

A repeat movement only a few minutes later allowed centre Reece Forrest to get within inches of the tryline in the corner only to be denied by a last gasp try saving tackle. Rochdale gathered themselves and quickly started to put together some obviously well practiced moves. Although the game settled down for the next 10 minutes or so, Lymm were guilty of conceding far too many penalties and their continued back chat annoyed the ref, who marched them back 10 metres of a few occasions. Despite this, Lymm were clearly on top and were rewarded with a good score from Joe Senior in the corner which was expertly converted by Andy Rowley (0 – 14).

Only a few minutes later with only a quarter of the game gone, powerhouse Matt Hill stormed his way through the opposition forwards in a straight line drive for the line near the posts to give Andy Rowley with a simple conversion. (0 – 21).

Rochdale remained dangerous and threatened to break through several times. Fortunately, many of their options were long kicks deep into Lymm territory which were well fielded and returned with sniping runs by the Lymm backs. On 23 minutes an excellent cross field kick was brilliantly taken in the air by the out of position prop So hail Kakaie who, on landing, pirouetted almost balletically 360 degrees to wrong foot the last defender and score in the corner. The extra points were again added
by Andy Rowley. (0 – 28).

Over the next 10 minutes, two further crashing drives by Matt Hill were repelled only just short of the line as Lymm tried to increase their lead. With only a few minutes to half time and against the run of play, a long kick from Rochdale into the was easily collected by Toby Philips inside the Lymm 22. Unfortunately he was caught in possession by the chasing Rochdale winger and the ball bounced clear to be touched down for the first Rochdale score. The conversion was unsuccessful. (In the last seconds following the restart, hooker Tom Coon was taken down by an unnoticed high tackle and the ensuing pushing and shoving contest brought an end to the half. (5 – 28).

Half Time: Rochdale 5 – 28 Lymm

The second half kicked off with Lymm again maintaining control of the ball in the forwards with prop So hail Kakaie dominating in loose play, making good ground whilst carrying and crunching tackles in defence. Quick ball from the set pieces was quickly shipped out to the speedy backs who moved the play quickly up the pitch. This approach paid dividends and within the first 6 minutes of the half, captain Matt Hill managed to crash through a lacklustre Rochdale defence to score not once but twice in as many minutes and complete his hat trick. The accurate boot of Andy Rowley again added both conversions. (5 – 42).

Rochdale redoubled their efforts in attack and managed to create a number of very dangerous scoring opportunities which left Lymm camped very much inside their 22 for about 10 minutes. Eventually, the pressure became too much for a tiring Lymm pack and a darting run from the Rochdale 10 gave them an unconverted try to bring the score to (10 – 42) after 55 minutes. Unfortunately at the same time, captain Matt Hill had to retire from the field with a suspected dislocated shoulder.

The renewed vigour of the Rochdale side was short lived and within another 10 minutes a great 50 metre run by replacement winger Jack Mason culminating in a well-timed pass to Andy Rowley on his inside provided another score for Lymm in the corner. Unfortunately the conversion was unsuccessful and was Andy Rowley’s only missed kick of the day. (10 – 47).

With the Lymm score close to 50 points, the referee indicated that he would be looking to finish the match a bit early. However, there was still time for Ryan Brown to put in a great individual run from within his own half to score a final try, converted by Andy Rowley to bring the final score to (10 – 54).

The referees whistle brought a welcome close to the proceedings a couples of minutes later.

Full Time: Rochdale 10 – 54 Lymm

Team: 1) David Coon 2) Tom Coon 3) Sohail Kakaie 4) Ben Stroud 5) Ben Polec 6) Martin Henderson 7) Sean
Callander 8) Matt Hill 9) Eamon Slavin 10) Toby Phillips 11) Joe Senior 12) Rory Riddell 13) Ryan
Brown 14) Reece Forrest 15) Andy Rowley REP 16) Jack Mason

Match Report: Peter Coon