n Lymm 13

n Hull 20

DEFEAT to fellow high-flyers Hull has left Lymm with an uphill struggle to qualify for a promotion play-off place.

Saturday’s reverse at Crouchley Lane dropped them to fourth in the Northern Premier, five points behind the all-important second place currently held by Harrogate.

Lymm led twice in the game via Andy Davies’ converted try and two Cormac Nolan penalties providing their points, but head coach Adam Fletcher knew where his side fell short.

“Hull came with a game plan and carried it out well,” he said.

“They knew they’d have the upper hand in the scrum and ultimately that’s where the game was won.

“On the few occasions we had the ball, we moved it well and caused them problems.”

“We actually could have snatched a draw in the final seconds of the game but couldn’t convert the pressure.”

Hull’s dominance up front was evident early on as their forwards forced the penalty which gave them the lead after just two minutes.

Despite Nolan replying in kind to level matters, Lymm’s ability to compete with their opponents’ pack was hindered by the loss of skipper Adam Bray to injury.

However, it did not deter them at first as they deceived Hull with a quick lineout and, from the resulting ruck, Davies spotted a gap and darted over the whitewash.

That looked like giving Lymm the lead at half time, but the visitors responded with a catch-and-drive effort to send the sides in level.

Lymm started the second half strongly and a stolen lineout forced another penalty, which Nolan converted, but Hull’s control of the scrum bore fruit again with a try between the posts edged them back ahead.

The hosts were penalised at the set piece again and this time Hull kicked for goal to ensure they would return to East Yorkshire with the spoils.

Lymm must now win all of their remaining games to qualify for the play-off, starting on Saturday when they host Rossendale to Crouchley Lane, kick off 2.15pm.

Lymm: Gavin Woods, Dan Horton, Matty Hand, Sam Mullarkey, Adam Bray, Jake Ashall, Ali Sutherland, Oli Higginson; Andy Davies, Scott Redfern; Luke Richards, James Kimber, Tom Bray, Joe Denman, Cormac Nolan. Subs: Aaron Rasheed, Jordan Widdrington, James Yates.