Wirral RUFC 28

Lymm RFC 10

LYMM failed to live up to their pre-season promise in the first round of the Cheshire Cup on Saturday.

They can have no complaints about losing to lower league side Wirral and their lacklustre second half performance bore no resemblance to the classy displays that had seen them pick up the Hoylake 10-a-side Trophy two weeks ago.

Lymm also gave a good account of themselves in a recent 13-a-side game against Blackbrook Amateur Rugby League Club but they were far too predictable in their first 15-a-side outing of the new season.

Lymm's forwards struggled in the rucks and mauls against Wirral.

They allowed themselves to be dominated and Lymm will need to perform much better in their league opener at Broughton Park.

The positives to come out of the game for Lymm were the performances of Stuart Wright, Andy Williamson and Rob Calderbank.

Wright, aged 17, showed great promise on his first team debut after coming on as a replacement flanker, Williamson took some excellent line-out ball and Calderbank put in a gutsy display in the second row.

Lymm can also take some encouragement from their first half performance.

They took a 10-7 lead into the half-time break thanks to a 15th minute try by Adam Lester and two goals from Paul Thatcher.

Lester benefited from sustained pressure on the home side's line and Lymm should have scored again soon after when scrum half Chris Kinsey fed Andy Williams at pace.

But the try was bombed and Wirral went from strength to strength after that. They dominated the second half and were rewarded with three converted tries.

Lymm Under 19s Colts play away to Bolton on Sunday. The game will kick-off at 2pm.