Lymm 23 – 17 Cleckheaton

Cleckheaton ventured over to Cheshire last Saturday still seeking their first points of this year’s campaign. With under 10 minutes to go the visitors looked likely to be bringing the points back to West Yorkshire but errors and inferior game management saw Cleckheaton clutch defeat from the jaws of victory and left them with a solitary bonus point.

Cleckheaton welcomed centre duo, Lee Queeley and Matt Piper back into the fold for their first game this season and started the match brightly. After weathering an initial storm from Lymm, Jack Bickerdike broke in mid-field and from the high tackle that illegally halted his run, the team found themselves with a line-out 10m from the home side’s line. Lymm repelled the initial drive but on the 2nd push Richard Piper directed the maul over the whitewash and grounded the ball. Mike Piper added the conversion. Lymm kicked a penalty goal to register their first points and then, despite an excellent defensive spell from Cleckheaton, a handling error gifted the Cheshire men possession 20m out. After attacking the left flank the ball was brought back quickly across field for Nolan to score in the corner giving Lymm an 8-7 lead at the break.

Cleckheaton’s discipline was a factor in the match once again and Lymm added a further penalty 10 minutes in to the 2nd period to go further ahead. Cleckheaton upped their tempo and with handling errors and penalties abating, secured another line out close to their opponent’s line. Despite Lymm’s best efforts to stop the drive, Ryan Piercy crashed over for an unconverted try to put the Moorenders a point in front. New utility back, Josh Hall, joined the action on the wing for Cleck and made an immediate impact, bungling his opposite number into touch as he was trying to ground the ball. As the game entered the last quarter of an hour, Cleckheaton were camped in Lymm’s half for an extended period of time. After several waves of attack, which saw a Lymm man sent to the bin for 10 minutes, Jack Seddon crossed to give Cleckheaton a 17-11 lead. Things were looking very positive and the first win of the season seemed almost in the bag. However, the restart was spilled and with the unexpected gain in territory, Lymm made their way up field. Another crucial penalty for off side gave Lymm an opportunity of a quick tap and winger McEvoy squeezed in at the corner. The all important conversion sailed through the posts from the touchline and Lymm had regained the lead 18-17 with 3 minutes remaining. On the last play of the game Cleckheaton had an attacking scrum 30m out and in a moment of rashness, opted to play a complex backs move off the back of the scrum. The ball went to ground in midfield and Lymm kicked through, winning the race to the line for a third try to rub salt into Cleckheaton’s wounds.

Cleckheaton got a bonus point out of this fixture, enough to take them above next week’s opponent’s Burnage, who now have the dubious honour of propping up the league table but this was definitely a case of 3 points lost rather than a point gained. The return of Matt Piper and Lee Queeley, as well as the addition of Josh Hall, gives the coaching team more options in the backs. Cleckheaton will be ruing their discipline and their game management at Lymm. Handling errors were also a thorn in their side but there were also positive signs as Ryan Piercy looks to be getting fitter after missing the whole of last season and Josh Malkinson made himself busy, carrying well, whilst the development and 1st XV experience for teenagers Luke Pearson and Niall Jackson will set them in good stead as the season progresses.

England’s now crucial game against Australia will be shown on the big screen on Saturday, 8pm kick off, all welcome.