Ilkley 3 Lymm 10

IN wintery conditions on the infamous Ilkley Moor, Lymm ensured they returned from Yorkshire with a victory from what was a low-scoring contest.

Adam Fletcher’s side scored the game’s only try courtesy of skipper Adam Bray and that was enough to prevent a third consecutive defeat and move them above their hosts into eighth in the National League Three North table.

Debutant scrum-half Andy Davies was making a big impact and moved his team around well in the early stages, using his kicking game to keep Lymm on the front foot.

Eventually, Ilkley created some pressure but the visitors showed their mettle in defence to keep them scoreless.

The chance for the game’s first points arrived when Ilkley were penalised 35 metres from their own try line. The visitors opted to go for goal and Cormac Nolan duly slotted over the kick to give them a 3-0 lead.

Despite picking up several injuries, the hosts continued to build some promising attacks but Lymm’s defence remained intact until the interval.

After the break, an Ilkley knock-on gave Lymm excellent field position and they had a number of attempts to cross the home line.

From one of those efforts, Bray was eventually successful as he spotted a gap at the side of the ruck to dive over, with Nolan adding the conversion.

Lymm hunted more points and almost had them when lock Mike Auden crossed after a sustained assault but lost the ball before he could put it down.

Ilkley stuck to their task and were rewarded with their first points of the game when Joe Rowntree kicked a penalty for a high tackle on half way.

That was as good as it got for the hosts, however, as Lymm held on to get back to winning ways ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stockport, kick off 2.15pm.

Lymm: Dan Horton, Ross White, Jordan Widderington, Alex Kahui, Mike Auden, Jake Ashall, Joe Watson, Adam Bray; Andy Davies, Tom Bray; Cormac Nolan, Ollie Higginson, Richard McEvoy, Dave Williamson, Joe Denman. Subs: James Yates, Tom Shard, Will Titherington.