ADVENTURE

ENDS IN

MISERY

FOR LYMM

Vagabond IOM...24

Lymm...24

AFTER negotiating blizzards, lost luggage and a mad hunt to find a playable pitch on the Isle of Man, Lymm suffered the final insult of a cup exit despite finishing level on points because the opposition scored more tries.

Lymm's first half incompetence was only matched by that of the baggage handlers.

Lymm's usual strengths of their forwards' scrummaging and mauling were eclipsed by their hungrier and more determined opponents.

Two well taken tries from the Vagabonds scrum half and man of the match gave them a 14-0 lead after 30 minutes.

An exchange of penalties brought the score to 17-3 at half-time.

A much more purposeful Lymm started the second half with better possession and a series of flowing moves which caused Vagabonds to concede a succession of penalties.

Excellent kicking by Richard Hopkinson resulted in him adding three further penalties from three attempts to add to his first half success.

The last of these penalties was scant reward for centre Danny Naylor's excellent break being ended by a blatant trip by the last defender when a try seemed certain.

With the scores at 17-12 Lymm looked the more likely to be the next scorers but again Lymm's scrummaging let them down.

Inside their own 22 Lymm lost possession and Vagabonds scrambled a try, followed by a conversion to take a seemingly unnasailable 24-12 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Hopkinson had other ideas and his outstanding display of strong and elusive running brought him a well-deserved try but his conversion attempt narrowly failed.

However, this was enough to inspire a last gasp effort and prop forward Jim Ferguson forced his way over in the gathering gloom. Hopkinson added the goal to bring the scores level.

Lymm were left regretting their placid first half performance and some missed opportunities.

On Saturday Lymm face much tougher opponents when they play Bradford and Bingley in the Intermediate Cup Knockout at 2pm.