Wharfedale 44 – 27 Lymm
1st Team Match Report | Saturday March 22 2025
Lymm struggle as squad depth tested
Conditions were perfect at the picturesque Thresfield Ground of Wharfedale. The pitch was firm and dry, with little wind, so a fast and open game was anticipated.
Lymm had four players under 20 in the side with Logan Byrne making his debut from the bench and Isaac Millachip making his first start, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, who both captained Lymm first team.
Wharfedale kicked off down the slope and after a few phases Cal Morris unleashed a steepling kick which Wharfedale failed to defuse, with Lymm regaining possession, and following a chip to the corner by the same player, the speedy Paddy Jennings won the foot race for an unconverted try. 5-0 to Lymm and their customary early score!
This spurred Wharfedale into action and they pounded away at the Lymm defence, using their mobile forwards to make ground. Desperate scrambling defence kept them out but eventually the pressure told and Lymm conceded a penalty which was converted.
Wharfedale continued to make headway and somehow Lymm managed to repel the attacks and cleared their line with a long kick downfield. However the kick-chase was poor as the winger broke two tackles to race away and, after a few passes, scored a converted try. 10-5.
It was not long after this that Paddy Jennings was sin-binned for a high tackle after chasing back to catch his opposite number.
Wharfedale took full advantage of this and scored two tries, one from a flowing back move and the other from a catch and drive, one of which was converted. In between Andy Rowley managed a penalty for Lymm. 22-8.
Wharfedale were dominating the set piece and loose and things looked ominous for Lymm. However it was the return of Paddy Jennings which changed their fortunes and a carbon copy try by him in the corner gave Lymm some hope.
The next ten minutes Lymm produced their best rugby of the game, with Ben Thompson and Rhys Lilley charging up the field and getting close to scoring, and eventually, after a fine break by Nathan Beesley, the ball was recycled quickly for Alfie Simpson to throw a flat pass to put Sam Wadsworth through a gap who jinked past two players to score a converted try. 22-20.
However, set piece penalties allowed Wharfedale to score a catch and drive try on half time.
Half Time: Wharfedale 27 – 20 Lymm
Lymm had been under pressure in the first half but showed great character to hang in and take the opportunities that were presented to them. The large Lymm travelling contingent were hopeful with the slope that Lymm could somehow get their noses in front.
Lymm started the second half as they had the first, and quick hands down the left side produced good ground and Alfie Simpson chipped through for Andy Rowley to score a try which he converted. 27-27 after 42 minutes, and Lymm supporters were beginning to hope. However Wharfedale put a stop to that, scoring two quick tries one of which was converted. 39-27.
The game started to lose shape with both sides guilty of errors. Lymm had a passage of play in the 22 but could not breach the committed Wharfedale defence, and it was Wharfedale who produced the final score with an unconverted try.
Full Time: Wharfedale 44 – 27 Lymm
Wharfedale deserved their win as they produced the more dominant rugby through both their forwards and backs. The Lymm players competed to the end with the young players acquitting themselves well and they will learn from the experience.
Director of Rugby Adam Fletcher was encouraging despite losing. ‘A much-improved performance on the previous week. I thought we looked dangerous every time we had the ball and probably left one or two tries out there.
‘It’s been a tough block of fixtures and the boys are in much need of a well-deserved rest. Congratulations to Logan on his 1st XV appearance and to Isaac on his first start. Ben Lilley at 19 years old did a phenomenal job for 80 mins against an experienced ex pro.
‘The boys will rest up well in preparation for Sheffield.
‘Loved seeing so many Lymm supporters at the game, and it was much appreciated,’ he concluded.
It was a loss but the large travelling group of supporters went off into the night in James Herriot country with optimism and hope having seen the young Lymm side produce some passages of excellent rugby.
Next week is a free weekend then it’s second placed Sheffield at home on the 5th April, KO 2.30pm, which is the Former Players’ Reunion.
Team: Matty Hand*, James Pitcher* (91) Ben Lilley (17), Ben Thompson (49), James Yates* (133), Rhys Lilley* (72), Isaac Millachip* (11), Ethan Kermode (17), Cal Morris (61), Alfie Simpson* (39), Paddy Jennings* (74), Sam Wadsworth* (36), Harry Reay* (4), Nathan Beesley* (86), Andy Rowley* (77)
Bench: Gav Woods (136) Logan Byrne* (1), Sean Callendar, Joe Senior (35), Tom Manaton (20).
Referee: Sam Yates
Assistant refs: Jonny Cartwright, Carl Walsh
Match Report: Mal Pritchard