Report by Dave Fernyhough
LYMM lost out 32-39 to Preston Grasshoppers in a thrilling match at Crouchley Lane in front of a large crowd.
This top of the table clash was crucial for Lymm’s attempt to make the promotion play off, and for Preston a win would take them just 5 points from clinching the league title.
The large crowd, which had gathered at Crouchley Lane, were treated to an absorbing contest and a feast of tries. Much of the entertainment derived from the contrast in the way each team plays. Preston benefit from a huge pack and some vastly experienced (also huge) talent in the backs. Lymm exploit the speed and athleticism of a young, home grown side.
With Cormac Nolan not available, Joe Denman moved to full back with, Luke Richards, yet another product of the Lymm Colts Academy, starting on the wing. Lymm also gave a first team debut to centre Grant Sneddon.
The initial exchanges saw Preston look the more dangerous, and it wasn’t long until they opened the scoring. The try was a well worked set piece, after a penalty on half way allowed them to kick for a line out 5 metres from Lymm’s line. From the line out the big number 8, Lamprey, drove past a hapless Lymm defence. The conversion fell short, 0 v 5.
The home side responded brightly, with Scott Redfern and Joe Watson combining to take the ball deep into Preston territory. A knock on when the ball went wide scuppered the attack but the home fans were buoyed by the quality of Lymm’s attack. A Redfern penalty in front of the posts, on the back of a patient attack, saw Lymm on the score board, 3 v 5.
Lymm were soon back in Preston’s half courtesy of an excellent clearance from Redfern. The ensuing attack again showed promise but once more ended with a knock on. A subsequent attempt ended very similarly, and then Preston joined in the “one that got away” club (a forward pass ending one effort, crossing ending another). The fully committed and cohesive defence that has characterised Lymm’s season was keeping the visitors at bay, and Lymm were also winning a surprising number of turnovers at the ruck.
There then followed an eye brow raising 10 minutes, when Lymm played some of the finest rugby seen at Beechwood since Jim Knowles trod (rather than tended) the turf. First Andy Davies and Joe Denman tidied up a loose ball in their own 22. Preston failed to effectively manage the kick, and Lymm pounced, with the ball eventually kicked through for Denman to collect and finish what he had started, with a try under the posts. Redfern converted to take Lymm 10 v 5 ahead.
From the restart Lymm again made progress into Preston’s half. Andy Davies, who was now imposing his control on the game, put Denman through the defensive line with a deft no-look pass. Denman moved the ball to centre James Kimber and his well timed long pass was collected by Ali Sutherland on the wing. The Preston winger couldn’t stop Sutherland from scoring Lymm’s second try in about as many minutes. The conversion was missed, 15 v 5.
Back to back tries was an impressive feat, but Lymm managed to go one better and score another almost immediately. This time Oli Higginson was tackled in the air from the restart kick. Joe Watson, more usually feted for his defensive work was again involved in the attack, breaking through the visitors defence before feeding the debutant winger Luke Richards. Richards had a bit still to do to score, which he did with skill and confidence to put Lymm 20 v 5 in front. Redfern scored a difficult conversion, 22 v 5.
Just in case anyone was getting bored, Preston scored a try of their own almost immediately, when former Newcastle Falcon centre James Fitzpatrick charged down a Lymm clearance 10 metres from their own line and collected the ball to give the Hoppers an important score as half time approached. The conversion took the score to 22 v 12.
At least some minutes passed before the next try, this time Redfern got a charge down of his own, following some sustained Lymm pressure on the Preston line. Again Redfern converted, and Lymm had a spectacular if unlikely 29 v 12 lead at the interval and try bonus point.
The second half was a complete contrast to the first. Lymm’s offence stuttered and too often resulted in loss of possession in their own half. This allowed Preston to play to their strengths. Lymm’s line out was not as effective as it had been previously whilst Preston’s pack became increasingly dominant. A Preston yellow card for an off the ball incident failed to have any impact on the game, and indeed it was the visitors who scored. After a Hoppers scrum for a not straight Lymm line out, Lamprey again made yards from number 8. A couple more phases put Preston in a dangerous position which Fitzpatrick again took full advantage of. He overpowered the Lymm line to score a converted try. 29 v 19.
Preston was looking more assured and Lymm’s defensive line seemed to slow slightly. Certainly Lymm were conceding penalties at a rate that was sure to impact the score eventually. That moment came when an under pressure Lymm were penalised for a scrum violation. From the ensuing line out Preston again over powered Lymm to score and take the lead to within 3 points. 26 v 29.
Lymm responded with a return to their aggressive defence, but line outs and scrums continued to go Preston’s way, and allow them field position. Such circumstances allowed Hoppers a penalty 40 metres out but in front of the posts. Alex Ward made the most of the opportunity to tie the game, 29 v 29.
The Lancashire side eventually took the lead with about 10 mins to go. Veteran player coach Paul Arnold collected the ball on half way and highlighted a gap in the Lymm defence, to charge 40 metres before feeding his support player. Again the try was converted 29 v 36.
Lymm were not beaten yet and continued to try and find their attacking potency. However two good periods of possession lead to nothing. Preston however were awarded another long range penalty. Again the kick was good and with time running out, Lymm seemed to have lost the additional bonus point that would have been some compensation. But their stubbornness payed off and a last second penalty was the reward. Redfern kicked the 3 points and the final whistle blew, 32 v 39.
Emotions among the crowd were mixed. 2 league points against the league leaders was some achievement, but surrendering such a huge first half lead was a disappointment.
The brave defensive performance needs to be highlighted lest the attacking flair in the first half overshadow it, but at the end it was the size and power of Preston that prevailed.
Coach Fletcher mused fatalistically, “With Hull and Harrogate both winning, we remain in 4th place, four points behind Harrogate. Mathematically we could still finish 2nd and a promotional play off opportunity to Level 4, National 2 North. Our next match is away to Harrogate on Saturday 7th April. We then have three home games to finish the season. We must win them all.”
TEAM: 1) Gav Woods, 2) Dan Horton, 3) Jordan Widdrington, 4) Aaron Rasheed, 5) Sam Mullarkey, 6) Joe Watson, 7) Adam Bray (C), 8) Oli Higginson, 9) Andy Davies, 10) Scott Redfern, 11) Luke Richards, 12) James Kimber, 13) Tom Bray, 14) Ali Sutherland, 15) Joe Denham, 16) Matty Connolly, 17) Matty Hand, 18) Grant Sneddon.
