Sutton Coldfield 12
Lymm 6

LYMM returned from north Birmingham ruing missed opportunities after their second consecutive National League Three Midlands defeat.

Lymm kicked off against a team they had beaten 22-0 earlier in the season, but who are now flying high in third place.

Meanwhile Lymm, having suffered a five-point deduction for ‘incorrect cry-off procedure’, are languishing six from the bottom.

Lymm started brightly and took the game to the hosts for the first 20 minutes.

But when an aggressive and sustained attack just outside the 22 concluded with Knowles throwing a pass to the opposing winger Burchall, it resulted in the host’s opening try.

Scrum half Baker then suffered a nasty clash of heads and despite playing on was eventually replaced by an out-of-position Jack Worton.

Then came two golden opportunities for the visitors to draw level, with Cormac Nolan close to grounding a fine kick and Barnes-Smith judged to have stepped into touch before a dive to the corner.

Lymm would come to regret these and several other missed opportunities, as despite a brace of Nolan penalties the hosts turned the screw after the break.

Knowles’ fumble resulted in a second home try, which was coolly converted from the touchline to ensure Lymm were left with another frustrating trip back to Cheshire with nothing to show for the journey.

Lymm: Rowley, Nolan, T Bray, Fletcher, Barnes-Smith, Knowles, Baker, Cooper, Widdrington, A Bray, S Wiiliams, Yates, Oakes, K Williams, Higginson. Subs: McCormack, Millington, Worton.