After a few years of planning and several months of groundwork, Lymm Rugby Club launched its new, all-weather Artificial Grass Pitch in style with a 42-23 victory over Morpeth.
The new facility will provide clubs across the local community the chance to benefit from year-round rugby through the durability of the all-weather, floodlit surface, which will enable additional training sessions and more flexibility in playing times. As a result, the pitch is expected to increase rugby participation across clubs and community groups, further growing the sport.
‘This a great step forward for Lymm Rugby Club and the broader community,’ commented John Cartwright, Lymm RFC Chairman. ‘ We are grateful to the RFU, Warrington Borough Council, and the main contractor McArdle Sport Tec for helping us achieve this significant ambition.’
The AGP will also be available for hire by local sports clubs, schools, colleges, universities and 5-a-side football organisations.
‘We hope the local community will embrace the new AGP and take advantage of the additional opportunities it provides people to play year-round rugby. We have seen local clubs, schools and teams from across the local areas all embracing
the opportunity to play on the world-class facilities without weather, darkness or lack of pitch access limiting their ability to enjoy this great game’, said Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director.
The inaugural match on the club’s Artificial Grass Pitch, against Northumbrian opponents Morpeth took place after several days and a mornings rain, and a few games in this league postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
The all-weather pitch lived up to its name, on a dry, still and sunny afternoon.
Following an excellent pre match luncheon to thank our many club volunteers, a large crowd gathered to watch a young Lymm side. A few team changes from las week: James Mawdsley started at tight head prop; James Lewis at open-side WF following some outstanding 2nd team games; James Kimber returned from injury at centre. A huge welcome was given to Oli Higginson, returning at No8 after a long injury lay off. The supporters expected a fast, open game. They were not to be disappointed but it was Morpeth who first drew blood with a penalty after 4mins, 0-3.
But Lymm were not hanging about on this new, firm surface. Quick hands from the re-start, with centre Ben Stansfield in particular taking a poor pass but keeping the move going, saw right wing Nathan Beesley fly in after 8mins, to touch down. So, 7-3 with full back Cormac Nolan converting well from wide out.
Morpeth were intent on staying in touch throughout the afternoon and nearly scored an interception try as Lymm tried to run out of their own 22, but the ball was knocked on. Shortly after that, efficient hands once again released the flyer Beesley down the right wing for his second, well taken try after 13mins. 12-3 as the conversion attempt went across the front of the posts.
Morpeth responded with another penalty for not rolling away, making it 12-6 after 15mins. But once again, Lymm created space 3mins later for left winger Joe Senior as he joined the back line down the right, and had enough speed to create space out wide and score in the corner, 17-6 with the conversion missed.
A high tackle gave Morpeth another penalty taking it to 17-9 after 30mins but Nolan responded with a well-taken penalty from 40m out making it 20-9 after 34mins. Cash Chilvers came on as rolling replacement for back row Ollie Higginson, who was making his welcome return after a long injury lay-off.
A sloppy re-start and knock-on from Lymm allowed the visitors to take full advantage, as the Morpeth scrum-half, who was excellent all afternoon, nipped in for a converted try after 36mins, 20-16 and game on as the half came to a close.
HT 20 – 16
The crowd were left wondering how the visitors had managed to stay in touch as the second half got under way. Prop Matty Hand came on for James Mawdsley but not for long. Judged to have taken out a player in the air from the restart he was binned for 10mins. So, down to 14 but that did nothing to stop second row Aaron Rasheed scoring from an attacking line out after 44mins, duly converted by Nolan, 27-16. Another Nolan penalty after 54mins took the score to 30-16. Was that a bit of daylight at last?
Lymm scrum half Tom Shard, who was kicking out of hand really well all afternoon, put in some accurate long distance efforts and one of these was followed by the try of the game. Joe Senior received the ball on the left wing and made a half break when seemingly there was nothing on. The ball was worked well to the right where Hand, making up for his earlier misdemeanour, then made a break of his own, beautifully drawing the defender then putting winger Beesley in for his hat trick try. 35-16 after 62mins with the conversion missed.
A good defensive spell from Lymm followed as Morpeth, once more, tried to get back into the game. With their tails up Lymm attacked the visitors 22 but an interception by the Morpeth right wing saw him run 75m to score under the posts. 35-23 and a few scratched heads, with 7mins to go.
But this did not stop the irrepressible and impressive Rasheed from scoring his second try as the clock ticked down, taking the final score to 42-23 as Nolan’s conversion went over.
Giving away too many kickable penalties and the occasional sloppiness will be punished by better teams but this was an impressive overall display from a young, fast and skilful Lymm team who will enjoy playing on a surface that really suits their style of play.
Lymm have still got a sizeable injury list of players but this is giving the chance for the members of our 2nd team squad to step up to the 1st team. This wouldn’t have been the case 3 or 4 seasons ago. However, the 2nd team now play in the NOWIRUL Cotton Traders Premier League, which is equivalent to RFU Level 6, (Our 1st team play at Level 5). This is an excellent standard for former colts to gain experience and acclimatise to open age rugby against the 2nd teams of National League clubs 2nd XV’s. DoR Adam Fletcher keeps a keen eye on the development of 2nd XV squad players and indeed many have already pulled on 1st XV shirts.
‘Great win and performance to mark the start of a new era on the AGP’, commented DoR Fletcher
‘It was great to score 6 tries today. I thought we always looked threatening from the set piece and also had good attacking shape in phase play. Our continuity of attack is much improved.
‘Having Oli Higginson back on the pitch is a massive boost for the squad. He looked like he enjoyed himself. James Lewis had a good 1st outing and brought his consistent form from the 2nd team to the 1st team.
‘Still areas to improve on but very happy overall.
‘I would like to thank everyone who made the AGP possible. The boys absolutely loved playing on it’.
There are no games for Lymm teams Next Saturday, 1st November.
On Saturday 9th November, Lymm 1st team travel to play Ilkley, with probably a 2.15 KO, whilst Lymm 2’s are at home to Macclesfield 2’s with a 3pm KO on the AGP. Lymm 3rd team are away to Altrincham Kersal 2’s.
Team: 1) Gavin Woods, 2) James Pitcher, 3) James Mawdsley, 4) James Yates, 5) Aaron Rasheed, 6) Adam Bray (C), 7) James Lewis, 8) Oli Higginson, 9) Tom Shard, 10) Scott Redfern, 11) Joe Senior, 12) Ben Stansfield, 13) James Kimber, 14) Nathan Beesley, 15) Cormac Nolan, 16) Matty Hand, 17) Cash Chilvers, 18) George Norman.
Referee: Elliot Lewis – RFU North Group
For more information on Artificial Grass Pitches, and to book a pitch, visit www.englandrugby.com/rugby365
