Lymm 16

York 17

LYMM threw away a 13 point half-time lead in this typical battle for survival.

It was a converted try on the stroke of full-time which cost Lymm valuable points but they should have been out of sight by the interval after a period of having the breeze and slope in their favour.

This contest between York, lying at the foot of the Thwaites North Division Two table, and Lymm, two places above them, had the exciting climax but it was more a testimony to the closeness of the scoring than the quality of the rugby.

Lymm made a sluggish start and caused their own problems through indiscipline, bred of over anxiety, yielding penalties after setting up promising positions.

Midway through the half Chris Elliott took two from three kickable penalties to give Lymm a six point lead.

Twice Nick Rowe was launched on strong runs down the left wing but it came to nothing due to having insufficient support.

Richard King made good ground following a well judged interception but again lack of support brought no rewards.

Just before half-time Lymm produced their golden moment and probably their try of the season so far.

A passing movement involving all the three quarters, and Martin Bower twice, took Lymm from their own half at pace through York's defence for Bower to score by the posts. Elliott converted.

Early in the second half York opened their account with a penalty.

Lymm worked hard to win a further Elliott penalty success, the infringement coming from the York defence in stopping John Millachip's inside break.

York then came more into the game and camped on the Lymm line.

Despite some good defence York eventually gained their reward with a try and simple conversion.

Mark Sutton went close for Lymm but York then gained possession and swept down field for a try near the posts and an easy conversion to take the matchwinning lead.

Lymm's match tomorrow, Saturday, is another relegation battle at Huddersfield.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.