What a finale as Lymm's senior colts win fourth trophy of last campaign together

LYMM Rugby Club's senior colts have done it - four trophies in one season!

The under 19s brought their age-group careers to a fitting finale with a 45-14 success over the Yorkshire champions in the Cock of the North Cup Final on Sunday.

That triumph at Wharfedale, compiled with a stunning 40-0 first-half display, completes a glorious silverware grand slam of the North West Senior Colts League title, Cheshire Cup and the Raging Bull Colts League Cup.

Highlighting the strength of youth rugby at Crouchley Lane, Sunday's win was the fourth in five seasons in the challenge match which determines the champion senior colts team in the North of England.

It is also the second time in three seasons that Lymm's under 19s have completed the clean sweep.

Lymm headed to picturesque Wharfedale high in confidence but wary of the National Plate victors from six days earlier.

But playing with the slope and wind in their favour in the first half Lymm immediately put their opponents under pressure, pinning them down in their own 22.

Wharfedale demonstrated their tenacity, proving to be strong opponents in the forwards, repelling a number of Lymm rolling mauls – which has proved a potent weapon for Lymm all season – and competing fiercely in the set pieces.

However, on 10 minutes, rather than kicking for the corner, Lymm elected to take a quick tap penalty and slick handling in the backs stretched Wharfedale, allowing wing Will Boyle to cross the line.

Five minutes later strong running by the Lymm backs and an excellent running line by centre Liam Eakins doubled the score.

Then on 20 minutes, fly-half Alex Mitchell, whose outstanding play and mature kicking game throughout the match was acknowledged by the whole crowd, pounced on a Wharfedale error to kick through and score for a 21-0 advantage.

Lymm’s power game continued to dominate proceedings, allowing Wharfedale little respite and three further tries resulted before half time.

Second tries followed for Mitchell and Boyle, the latter after some unselfish play by full back Luke Richards, and captain Alex Nolan, as Lymm’s rolling maul finally got the better of their opponents.

Inevitably, the second half was a much more evenly matched affair but the cushion allowed Lymm the opportunity to empty their bench and give the whole squad the opportunity to take the stage in their final performance.

Fittingly, Lymm’s final score came from Mitchell, who has been playing at Lymm since the age of five and next season is joining Premiership club Northampton Saints.

In the last 10 minutes Wharfedale scored two excellent tries which underlined the fact that they are a very good team and that Lymm’s victory was the result of their outstanding performance and not weak opposition.

Other than Mitchell, the player to catch the eye was Will Baldwin who had, probably, his best game for Lymm - being strong in both attack and defence.

This was an outstanding squad performance befitting what has been an exceptional team for the past 13 seasons.

Lymm: Alex Kitching, Rob Makin, Oscar McCormack, Ben Wardner. Olly Thornton, Will Baldwin, Nat Johnstone, Alex Nolan (c), Tim Downes, Alex Mitchell, John Leight, Alexander Mansfield-Hickman, Liam Eakins, Will Boyle, Luke Richards. Replacements: Ged McDonnell, Joe Plumb, Jack Finegan, Jamie Loughridge, Ben Wass, Matt Hill, Sam Butler, Will Leach, Charles Atkins, Alex Gaskill, Matt Dowdeswell.

Meanwhile, in Coimbra, Portugal, Lymm under 14 emerged victorious in an international tournament, winning matches against the champions of Spain and Portugal in the process.