ADAM Fletcher says his Lymm side were “desperate” to treat their supporters in their final home game of the season on Saturday.
And they certainly delivered, beating Billingham 39-24 to send their fans into the off-season with a smile and ensure three of their long-serving players – Gav Woods, James Kimber and Jordan Widdrington – could enjoy their last appearance on home soil.
Lymm secured survival in the RFU National Leagues last week despite losing at Preston Grasshoppers, but this was a game they were in command of from early on.
Tries from Josh Hadland and Paddy Jennings put them in command with Ste Pilkington adding another first-half try, with the accurate boot of Tom Shard also keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Harry Saxton-Martin and Cal Morris then touched down after the interval to ensure maximum points for Lymm, who were praised by their director of rugby for a “clinical and professional” display.
“I’m really happy with how the lads bounced back from last week. They were desperate to put a show on for all the supporters,” Fletcher said.
“We were clinical and professional. Billingham threw a lot at us but we defended pretty well.
“We scored some nice tries and created a lot of chances.”
Hadland’s powerful charge over the line from 20 metres out put Lymm ahead after just 10 minutes and shortly afterwards, Jennings was over the line thanks to an outstanding diving catch and finish from Shard’s cross-field kick after a lineout had been held just short of the line.
Shard then added a penalty after Billingham had got on the board with their first try before a towering Morris box kick was spilled by the visitors, with Kimber and Saxton-Martin combining having secured the loose ball to send Pilkington over.
Billingham scored again and finished the half well, but Lymm’s defence held to secure a 14-point half-time lead, which was extended to 17 just after the break by another Shard penalty.
Then, the bonus point was secured when, after Hadland and Oli Higginson had made good ground in midfield, James Yates and Matty Hand made further progress to set up Saxton-Martin for a confident touchdown.
Billingham added a third try after Lymm’s discipline lapsed, but they got themselves back in command and after Jennings was stopped just short, Morris dummied his way through to dive over.
While the last word went to the visitors as they secured themselves a four-try bonus point, Lymm could reflect on a job well done.
They now finish the campaign with a trip to Wharfedale on Saturday.
Lymm: Ralph McEachran, James Pitcher, Matty Hand, Rhys Lilly, James Yates, Josh Hadland, Harry Saxton-Martin, Oli Higginson; Cal Morris, Tom Shard; Paddy Jennings, James Kimber, Ste Pilkington, Andy Williams, Alfie Simpson. Subs: Gav Woods, Jordan Widdrington, Ben Thompson, Jack Stride
Meanwhile, Lymm’s thirds ran out impressive 48-21 victors over Wilmslow at the weekend thanks to 20 unanswered points either side of half time.
Rich McEvoy scored 23 points himself by way of a try, six conversions and two penalty goals, with all six of Lymm’s tries coming via different scorers.
Simon Beards, Jorge Reynolds, Max Ure, Liam Sullivan and Adam Halford also crossed the whitewash.
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