LYMM Rugby Club will commence their second season in the RFU National Leagues, Level 4, in National 2 North on Saturday 7th September, away to Hull Ionians, KO 2.30pm.
“This is a great honour for the town as we are now one of the top 80 Clubs in England,” said Lymm Rugby Club spokesperson Peter Cornelia. “Some achievement for an amatuer club, who don’t pay their players, arguably one of very few clubs at Level 4 who can claim this.
“Our success in remaining in National 2 North has attracted a number of aspiring players from local clubs to join us. They are buying into our amatuer ethos and culture and the challenge of playing rugby at the highest level. 70% of our Senior squad still come through our Mini/Junior and Colts Academy.
“Our 2nd XV also play at the highest level in the Premiership Division of the Halbro North West Intermediate Leagues. A strong 2nd XV is needed to support our National League aspirations and they are totally integrated as part of a 1st/2nd XV squad. There is a positive attitude amongst our Senior squad with 45+ training every Tuesday and Thursday since training recommenced in early June. Our U17 Junior and U18 Senior Colts, will both play in the top leagues of the Halbro Colts League and they also train with the Senior squad.”
Peter added: “Our Senior Coach, Andy Davies, has set a target to finish in the top half of the National 2 North league. Under our DoR, Adam Fletcher, our coaches are developing our fitness, individual positional abilities and game structure to meet the challenges of the new season. James Yates remains as Club Captain, with Nathan Beesley as Vice Captain.
“We have had 3 excellent pre-season warm up games, taking 30+ players on each occasion to give game time to 1st and 2nd team players and some Senior Colts. Away to Level 5 club Anselmians, we won by 10 tries to 2. The following week we travelled down for a stopover at Weston-Super-Mare defeating Level 5 club Chew Valley, 28-0 and Level 4 club, Hornets, 19-0. This last Thursday we had a final away game at Stockport, mainly our 2s and younger players, plus 7 of last season’s regular 1st XV squad, losing by 4 tries to 1.
“Three of our first 4 league games are away, our first home game is on September 21st against Fylde, KO 2.30pm.”