Back
Sat 23 Jan 2016 · National League Three North
Lymm
1st XV
17
21
Tries: A Baker (2), D HarveyConversions: J Annetts (2), C HarveyYellow Carded: K Mahon
Baker Brace Sets Up Wirral Win
Andrew Broadbent25 Jan 2016 - 21:24
Share via
A bright first half laid the platform for a narrow win despite Lymm fighting back in the second period.
From recollection this is the first time this season that the squad has remained the same from one week to another. Following the rain and some frost, the game was played with temperature in the teens on a pitch where no games have been played since mid-November.
Lymm won the toss and played with the wind but up the slope and were immediately on the attack from the kick off and were rewarded with a penalty for not rolling away from the tackle and Richard Macca kicked the home side into a 3-0 lead after 3 minutes.
At this stage both teams were looking to play open rugby notwithstanding the conditions. A break by ROB PEARL ended with JAMES ANNETTS being hauled down 15m from the line. Wirral were now pressing and on 8 minutes were deemed to have been held up over the line, keeping play in the Lymm 20m area the ball came out left and CRAIG HARVEY with a double pass dummy put in ALI BAKER on the burst for a try under the posts. This was converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 3-7 (12 mins)
From the kick-off, Lymm collected and made little progress before putting up a high kick which was collected by ALI BAKER who shook off the first tackle before embarking on a line splitting break which saw him outpace the defenders to score a try from 70m out, again converted by JAMES ANNETTS, 3-14 (15 minutes).
During this period, Wirral were in full control and a further break created a golden chance, which only needed the right winger to catch and touch down- the ball was dropped! Wirral continued to press and after much pressure on the Lymm line another try was ruled out when the referee deemed the ball was held up. From this position a ball steal by one of the forwards allowed Wirral to quickly switch play out to the backs where CRAIG HARVEY set up brother Dan to cross close to the posts, Craig converted: 3-21 (34 minutes). This was the score at half time but in reality Wirral should have been further ahead.
The second half started with Wirral playing as they finished the first half, a break by JOE MURRAY who put in a deft kick over the Lymm defence had the home side again in their 20m area. On 47 minutes, the Lymm prop Dan Horton was yellow carded for foul play and at the same time Wirral made a triple change with CHRIS BURROWS, JACK YARKER and JAMES REEVE coming on for KEITH MAHON, STEVE PENDERGAST and PAUL LEWIS respectively. From this position in the Lymm 20m area: Wirral had a number of penalties, declined kicks at goal as they went for the try bonus point. Again Wirral were denied a try as they were held up over the line for the third time in the game- where was the TMO when you need one?
With Wirral not scoring, Lymm gradually grew in confidence as they now passed the ball with greater effect. On 64 minutes, PAUL LEWIS and KEITH MAHON came on for JAMES REEVE and CHRIS SPEED. A dropped ball by Wirral enabled Lymm to kick through and although Wirral gained possession this was lost and a good backs move by Lymm, attacking slower paced forwards enabled Richard Halford to score with the try being converted by Richard Macca. 10-21 (65 mins). This gave Lymm renewed confidence and an attack in the Wirral 20m area came to an end with a high tackle which resulted in KEITH MAHON being yellow carded. From the resultant scrum against 7 forwards, a well-planned Lymm back row forwards move gave Andy Kerr a 10m clear run to the line; again this was converted by Macca. 17-21 (77 minutes). However the referee indicated 8 more minutes! as Lymm now sought an unexpected win and Wirral’s play was nervous as they could not get possession to control the game and slow down the Lymm revival. Eventually a dropped pass brought relief to Wirral as the referee blew for time. Wirral took the 4 points for a win when 5 was certainly on the cards when considering the pressure exerted on Lymm, with dropped passes and being denied the tries for being held up over the line.
The game was played in fine “spring” weather with rain just starting 5 minutes after the game finished. Wirral were again well supported for this match and it was good to see ex-president DUDLEY LEWIS at the game (GEORGE please note) and he could well be at the next away match as well!
Wirral maintain second place in the league and next week they are at home to Burnage and we look forward to having full support for this game.
Richard McNeil
Lymm won the toss and played with the wind but up the slope and were immediately on the attack from the kick off and were rewarded with a penalty for not rolling away from the tackle and Richard Macca kicked the home side into a 3-0 lead after 3 minutes.
At this stage both teams were looking to play open rugby notwithstanding the conditions. A break by ROB PEARL ended with JAMES ANNETTS being hauled down 15m from the line. Wirral were now pressing and on 8 minutes were deemed to have been held up over the line, keeping play in the Lymm 20m area the ball came out left and CRAIG HARVEY with a double pass dummy put in ALI BAKER on the burst for a try under the posts. This was converted by JAMES ANNETTS. 3-7 (12 mins)
From the kick-off, Lymm collected and made little progress before putting up a high kick which was collected by ALI BAKER who shook off the first tackle before embarking on a line splitting break which saw him outpace the defenders to score a try from 70m out, again converted by JAMES ANNETTS, 3-14 (15 minutes).
During this period, Wirral were in full control and a further break created a golden chance, which only needed the right winger to catch and touch down- the ball was dropped! Wirral continued to press and after much pressure on the Lymm line another try was ruled out when the referee deemed the ball was held up. From this position a ball steal by one of the forwards allowed Wirral to quickly switch play out to the backs where CRAIG HARVEY set up brother Dan to cross close to the posts, Craig converted: 3-21 (34 minutes). This was the score at half time but in reality Wirral should have been further ahead.
The second half started with Wirral playing as they finished the first half, a break by JOE MURRAY who put in a deft kick over the Lymm defence had the home side again in their 20m area. On 47 minutes, the Lymm prop Dan Horton was yellow carded for foul play and at the same time Wirral made a triple change with CHRIS BURROWS, JACK YARKER and JAMES REEVE coming on for KEITH MAHON, STEVE PENDERGAST and PAUL LEWIS respectively. From this position in the Lymm 20m area: Wirral had a number of penalties, declined kicks at goal as they went for the try bonus point. Again Wirral were denied a try as they were held up over the line for the third time in the game- where was the TMO when you need one?
With Wirral not scoring, Lymm gradually grew in confidence as they now passed the ball with greater effect. On 64 minutes, PAUL LEWIS and KEITH MAHON came on for JAMES REEVE and CHRIS SPEED. A dropped ball by Wirral enabled Lymm to kick through and although Wirral gained possession this was lost and a good backs move by Lymm, attacking slower paced forwards enabled Richard Halford to score with the try being converted by Richard Macca. 10-21 (65 mins). This gave Lymm renewed confidence and an attack in the Wirral 20m area came to an end with a high tackle which resulted in KEITH MAHON being yellow carded. From the resultant scrum against 7 forwards, a well-planned Lymm back row forwards move gave Andy Kerr a 10m clear run to the line; again this was converted by Macca. 17-21 (77 minutes). However the referee indicated 8 more minutes! as Lymm now sought an unexpected win and Wirral’s play was nervous as they could not get possession to control the game and slow down the Lymm revival. Eventually a dropped pass brought relief to Wirral as the referee blew for time. Wirral took the 4 points for a win when 5 was certainly on the cards when considering the pressure exerted on Lymm, with dropped passes and being denied the tries for being held up over the line.
The game was played in fine “spring” weather with rain just starting 5 minutes after the game finished. Wirral were again well supported for this match and it was good to see ex-president DUDLEY LEWIS at the game (GEORGE please note) and he could well be at the next away match as well!
Wirral maintain second place in the league and next week they are at home to Burnage and we look forward to having full support for this game.
Richard McNeil
Further reading
Team Sponsors
