Cleckheaton 25 Lymm 18

A LOSING bonus point was all Lymm brought home from West Yorkshire in a rearranged National League Three North fixture at relegation-threatened hosts.

Richard McEvoy’s penalty-success 10 minutes from time tied the scores in an uninspiring game.

But a converted interception try before the final whistle gifted Cleckheaton an unexpected lifeline.

As a result, Lymm slide from third to fifth in the table.

They will need to sharpen up at runaway league leaders Sheffield Tigers this Saturday.

Four regular squad props were unavailable at the weekend, but former colts Oscar McCormack and Kieron O’Callaghan stepped up and did not look out of place.

Lymm, lacking motivation and cohesion, did fight back in the second half from 11-3 down to lead 15-11 after an interval ear-lashing from captain Adam Bray took effect.

Outside centre Rick Halford, from his own 10-metre mark, galloped forward before sending McEvoy to the line.

And a repeat performance from Halford allowed the visitors' other winger Mark Wells to put the ball down, McEvoy converting.

But a high tackle resulted in Bray being shown a yellow card and Cleckheaton’s pack forced Lymm’s reduced numbers over the line to edge ahead at 18-15.

McEvoy’s clinical kick from 35 metres levelled things up before the final act of drama.

Lymm: Mike Auden, Ross White, Oscar McCormack, Will Baldwin, Zak Lythgoe, Adam Bray, Jack Harper, Olli Higginson, Tom Baker, Tom Bray, Richard McEvoy, Richard Halford, Callum Harris, Mark Wells, Joe Knowles. Replacements: Kieron O’Callaghan, Tom Shard, Aaron Rasheed.