Ilkley 6 Lymm 10

LYMM head into the Christmas break sitting eighth in National League Three North after a win at Ilkley.

It was Ilkley who showed all the early enterprise retaining the ball well and creating space out wide with slick handling by their backs.  Through this early pressure, Lymm’s defence looked solid and proved a platform for victory.

Lymm were first on the scoreboard through a Richard McEvoy penalty on four minutes, but this was levelled a couple of minutes later by the hosts.  Midway through the first half Alex Kahui put in a monstrous hit on a rampaging Ilkley forward to win a turnover, which seemed to lift the Lymm defence's intensity and physicality.

On 50 minutes, winger Richard Halford almost got in at the corner but was pushed into touch.

Ilkley missed a penalty opportunity with 15 minutes to go, before Lymm enjoyed a sustained period of pressure.

They soon got their reward.

Strong direct running down the middle, with Jake Ashall at the fore, softened up the defence and then slick hands to the left put Halford into space.  He made good yards and drew the Ilkley full back with a well-timed inside pass to Ollie Higginson in support, who dotted down for McEvoy to convert.

Ilkley replied with another penalty, but Lymm held on.

Sandbach 2nd 8 Lymm 2nd 31

LYMM seconds stormed to victory in the North West Intermediate League’s top flight.

Sandbach added the first points from a penalty, but Lymm started to up the pace of the game and with Rhys Jones taking on the line, they were looking dangerous.

It was after a number of phases Mark Wells used his strength and pace to go over from 20 metres, Jones converted. 

Soon after, the visitors got into the Sandbach 22 and from the ensuing lineout Lymm forwards drove over from 15 metres for Oli Thornton to claim an unconverted try.

Lymm’s progress was disrupted by injuries to Matt Hill and Jones, who both had a spell on the touchline.

It was while veteran Peter Millachip was on the field the turnover ball resulted in him putting in deft kick through which Wells pounced on to score his second. 

Jones was next to glide through a gap to put prop forward Kieron O’Callaghan in, before Sandbach responded with their only try. 

But the last play of the day, after taking the ball against the strike, saw number eight Matt Hill ghost down the blind side for an unconverted try.

The thirds beat Glossop 14-0, while the fourths lost 61-0.