LYMM were up against it from the start before falling 36-18 to north east side Tynedale in National League 2 North.

They took on the challenge, though, to lead 18-5 for a spell in the first period but conceded 29 points without reply after the interval – with the tries conceded either side of the break being a game changer.

On a cold day, on a heavy pitch and with a wind behind them, Lymm kicked off only for the ball to be moved slickly to the right by Tynedale who broke the defensive line and scored – all in about 40 seconds.

However, this lacklustre start was then followed by a sumptuous 20 minutes from Lymm.

Scrum-half Ben Simpson, recruited that morning conveniently from Newcastle Uni for bed-bound Cal Morris, scuttled over to level the scores.

A yellow card for Tynedale centre Miller for a high tackle gave Shard a penalty shot which he successfully converted for 8-5.

Hooker James Pitcher hurled himself down the middle, the momentum was maintained and the ball moved swiftly wide where a well-timed pass from Ste Pilkington allowed Andy Williams to croon over in the corner.

Simpson was giving the opposition all sorts to think about as he made another half break towards the line and fed flanker Harry Martin to score wide out.

Then at an attacking line-out for Lymm the ball was overthrown and Tynedale seized on the opportunity, moving the ball through the hands and a 60-metre break leading to a try by fly-half Josh Leslie.

Tynedale emptied the bench in the second half with an array of fresh talent.

Replacement second row Henry Wainwright handed off one then another as he charged over the line, leaving the hosts only one point adrift three minutes into the new half.

Lymm started making mistakes and seemed to go off the boil completely.

Tynedale hit the front at the 55th-minute mark, the number eight picking the ball up from a scrum and putting right winger Oliver over the line.

Classy fly-half Leslie then scored between the posts following a number of surges to the line. His conversion took the score to 29-18.

Seeking the fourth-try bonus point, one opportunity fell to Lymm’s second row Ben Thompson who touched the ball down following a charge-down but was deemed offside.

One more try from Tynedale’s replacement wing Oliver, following a wide kick to the corner, rubbed salt into the wounds of Lymm who will have to regather themselves for the visit by fourth-paced Fylde on Saturday.

Lymm’s director of rugby Adam Fletcher said: “After a slow start we managed to get into the game and go 18-5 up.

“The try they scored just before half-time was a huge blow and changed the momentum of the game.

“Tynedale also had some real fire power from the bench which really helped them kick on in the second half.

“It feels like we left some points out there for the second week running but we will re-group and get excited about Fylde.”

Lymm: Gav Woods, James Pitcher, Matty Hand, Ben Thompson, James Yates, Rob Makin, Harry Martin, Oli Higginson, Ben Simpson, Tom Shard, Paddy Jennings, James Kimber, Ste Pilkington, Andy Williams, Nathan Beesley. Replacements: Joe Higgins, Nick Ashton, Jack Stride, Max Caldwell.