Tom Baker helps Lymm to rise against Stockport

LYMM’S dominant pack laid the foundations for a bonus point win in National League Three North at Stockport on Saturday.

Dominance in the set-piece was indicated early on as Lymm started by stealing a lineout.

However, the home side had the lion’s share of possession in the first half but the back division lacked penetration as Lymm’s defence refused to wilt.

Right wing Richard McEvoy put Lymm ahead with a penalty after seven minutes.

Stockport crossed for the first try and soon added a penalty, but despite losing fly half Oli Lancaster to a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, the visitors seemed determined to strike back.

Constant pressure in Stockport’s 22 facilitated a kick to the right corner when the referee announced there was still time for a lineout with six seconds to go.

From the ensuing series of catch and drives replacement Andy Kerr eventually drove powerfully over from close to the line.

The introduction of bencher Tom Baker at scrum half in the second half galvanised Lymm, as he became more vocal and added snap to proceedings.

McEvoy took an aimless Stockport kick and skipped past several would-be tacklers to score between the sticks, which he converted.

A superb up-and-under from Baker was then dropped by the defending winger only to be snapped up once again by McEvoy, who went over and converted his own try.

Two five-metre scrums eventually gave Baker the platform he needed to burst over, making it 27-8 with five minutes to go.

Stockport once more cleared their lines with a loose kick and the backs put it through several pairs of hands for Baker to score his second.

Lymm: Mike Auden, Ross White, Jordan Widdrington, Zack Lythgoe, Alex Kaihau, Jack Harper, Jake Ashall, Adam Bray (c), Chris Owens, Oli Lancaster, Richard McEvoy, Tom Bray, Giles Dugdale, Richard Halford, Joe Knowles. Replacements: Dan Horton, Andy Kerr, Tom Baker.

Lymm 2nd 19 Sedgley Park 50

LYMM met Sedgley, the Bateman BMW Premiership League leaders, and a tough encounter ensued.

They kicked off against the wind and were immediately on the defensive as Sedgley powered up the pitch using their fast backs and powerful forwards to good effect.

As normally happens early on in games, Lymm seemed to be off the pace and it was no surprise when Sedgley scored from a driving maul.

Lymm gradually worked their way into the game with Rhys Jones putting in a number of intelligent kicks which put Sedgley under pressure.

Also the visitors started to incur the wrath of the referee and were penalised for indiscipline at the breakdown.

This allowed Lymm to put increased pressure on the Sedgley defence, which to their credit, held firm.

However Lymm continued to press with Mark Wells making a number of breaks in midfield along with Callum Harris, who improves every game.

Lymm reduced the deficit when Tom Shard kicked a good penalty from 40 metres.

Sedgley responded almost immediately when they recycled the ball a number of times to create an overlap for their winger to score an converted try.

Lymm continued to compete and after another good kick the Lymm chasers charged a rushed clearance kick down and after a quick ruck Kieron Williams forced his way over for an unconverted try, making it 8-12 at half time.

Lymm started the second with the wind in their favour and pressed from the off and reduced the deficit when Tom Shard kicked a penalty.

This gave Lymm hope of competing but slack Lymm tackling and good support play from Sedgley saw them move up a gear and score at will against a disorganised Lymm defence.

Lymm did manage to kick a penalty through Tom Shard, and Mark Wells scored an excellent individual try from 50 metres after retrieving a cross kick and outstripping the defence.

Lymm: T Shard, Worton, C Harris, S Gough, M Wells, R Jones, G Boden, G Robertson, K Williams, M Gough, M Hill, A Rasheed, O Askew, R Makin, K Broadbent.