Lymm RFC...23 Aldwinians...16

THIS was a game of great intensity, fluctuating fortunes and a tense exciting finish.

Aldwinians were runners-up in North Two West last season and are expected to present another promotion challenge. This makes Lymm's victory highly significant.

Paul Thatcher's first penalty gave Lymm the lead as a reward for early pressure. Aldwinians quickly achieved parity with a penalty of their own and added two more before half-time.

Lymm, through the effort of their forwards, started to win a better share of possession.

The backs responded well to the opportunities initially created by the astute running and passing of half backs Chris Kinsey and Thatcher to give Alan Fletcher the chance to break through for a try, converted by Thatcher.

Aldwinians snatched back the led with their own try and conversion.

Lymm's hopes were lifted by another penalty from Thatcher and they raised the tempo.

Kinsey, at scrum half, used his sharp eye for a break to penetrate Aldwinians' flagging defence to put winger David Strettle in for an exciting converted try. Thatcher added a last minute penalty to confirm Lymm's superiority.