Lymm 37 Rossendale 26

Lymm 37 Rossendale 26

LYMM’S remarkable season ended on a high as they defeated promotion hopefuls Rossendale 37-26 to secure third place in North Two West.

It completed an incredible turnaround in fortunes for the club, who have lost once in 14 games since December 1 after starting the season with just three wins in 11.

For the fifth game in succession, Lymm found themselves behind inside the first 10 minutes when Rossendale winger Dennison ran through a series of missed tackles and popped the ball up to Harrison who scored.

Swetman slotted a penalty on 21 minutes to reduce the gap but his kicking from hand was poor during the first half.

When a booming 50-metre defensive kick failed to find touch, Rossendale scored a second try, Stirrup converting to give them a 12-3 lead.

But Lymm came out in the second half with real purpose.

Within 90 seconds of the restart, a visiting skirmish in the Lymm 22 ended when Howson won turnover ball and found Griffiths.

The young pair then linked up well to score, Griffths scampering 20 metres before returning the pass to Howson who went over from 40 metres out, Swetman converting.

Lymm took the lead soon after when Hughes went over after a lovely chip from Jack Johnstone.

Playing with real freedom, Johnstone then dashed 60 metres to set up Darren Norman for a try on 65 minutes, Swetman converting.

From the restart Lymm recycled well to Howson who timed a pass to perfection to put Swetman over.

Johnstone scored a try himself on 72 minutes after received a superb 20-metre pass from Hughes.

Rossendale were able to claw back some pride, with tries for Pole and Settle cutting the gap but Howson dashed 25 metres to set up a try for Ollie Higginson on the stroke of full time.

Swetman added the last points of the league season.

Lymm have one more game when they play Wilmslow in the Cheshire Plate final at New Brighton on May 4.

Lymm: Jack Warrington, Ollie Brown (Danny Bates 70), Keith Broadbent, Darius Miksys (Jake Ashall 65), Tom Darbyshire, Ollie Higginson, Andy Williamson, Mark Sutton, Chris Griffiths, Jordan Howson, Darren Norman, Tom Hughes, Mike Swetman, Jack Johnstone, Dave Williamson.