Spirited Lymm considering injury woes and strength of table-topping Huddersfield

MUCH can by achieved by Lymm's young home-grown squad if there is some injury respite and if they can learn from experiences such as Saturday's loss at National League Three North leaders Huddersfield.

That was clear from a much-changed team facing a strong, well drilled Huddersfield outfit that are striving to return to 'big club' status and are yet to lose a league game this term.

Lymm’s error count was quite high and they were punished in a game they expected to be difficult, given injuries limiting coach Adam Fletcher's selection options.

And it was tough on both player and Lymm 10 minutes into the clash when Sam Mullarkey, who is having an excellent comeback season from shoulder surgery and registered a hat-trick in the previous week's win against Waterloo, broke his ankle.

Some players had to feature out of position, including Tom Shard, with only 45 minutes notice, moving to fly-half when Tom Bray tweaked his hamstring in the warm up.

Tom Baker went to scrum-half and veteran Dave Williamson went onto the bench.

Yet another new centre partnership of Oli Higginson and James Kimber was necessary, because of an under 18s county call for Will Titherington as well as Richard McEvoy being unable to travel due to work commitments.

Lymm delivered a spirited performance in the circumstances.

Kicking off with the advantage of a swirling strong breeze at their backs, Lymm were immediately given warning of Huddersfield's attacking strength.

Their lock, by far the biggest man on the field, charged from his own half and it needed two defenders to halt him inside the Lymm 22.

A ruck ensued and to their great credit, the Lymm forwards won turnover ball.

Lymm were confined to their own half and when given the relief of a penalty failed to make certain of touch for a lineout throw advantage.

This typified errors at key moments throughout the game.

After losing Mullarkey, Lymm responded splendidly by scoring the opening try.

It was initiated by Lymm stealing a Huddersfield throw lineout and driving to the line for scrum-half Tom Baker to score.

Huddersfield responded immediately, taking a driving maul to within five metres of the Lymm goal line which was only halted when Dan Horton got a yellow card for causing it to collapse.

Huddersfield opted for a scrum and this was wheeled illegally to result in the award of a penalty try.

Huddersfield now had their tails up and from good lineout possession put the ball through their hands to score on the opposite side of the field.

Lymm then produced one of their best periods of the game with half backs Baker and Shard combining well to initiate attacks, including getting big prop Mike Auden on the charge to test the hosts' defence.

A further spell in the Huddersfield half with more sustained phases and better ball retention featured a break by Ollie Higginson that kept the home side's defence at full stretch.

A relieving kick was well fielded by full-back Joe Denman but his intended attacking return kick over the advancing defence was gathered by his opposite number who fed his speedy wing to score, taking advantage of all the Lymm defence being out of position.

Lymm started the second half in fine style, when wing Chris Owen caught the high kick and carried the ball up to the Huddersfield 22.

This inspired his forwards to shove their heavier opponents off their own ball at the next scrum.

The ball ran loose and Jake Ashall went over by the posts, giving Shard an easy conversion for 17-12.

For a while it then seemed that Lymm would score again, matching and sometimes having the better of scrums and lineouts but some poor kicking and ball retention set Huddersfield on a final quarter scoring spree beginning with a penalty.

Good lines of running and sustained phases then yielded four tries and two conversions to confirm Huddersfield as worthy league leaders and a team ready for a return to National League Two North.

The result would suggest that Lymm were totally outplayed but in fairness it was a good, close game up until the last 15 minutes.

There is some light on the horizon in terms of player availablity for Lymm.

Alex Kahui and Zak Lythgoe are back in training and Nick Ashton is due to return this week.

Lymm: Mike Auden, Ross White, Jordan Widdrington, Joe Watson, Will Baldwin, Jake Ashall, Sam Mullarkey, Adam Bray, Tom Baker, Tom Shard, Chris Owen, Oli Higginson, James Kimber, Cormac Nolan, Joe Denman. Replacements: Dan Horton, Matty Connolly, Dave Williamson.