Lymm 38 Morley 40

AN entertaining battle at Beechwood ended in disappointment for Lymm as a late comeback could not prevent defeat to Morley, a side who had not won since the season’s opening day.

The hosts had held a one-point lead at the break but 21 unanswered points for the visitors in the second half proved decisive.

The result was a damaging one for the hosts, who missed the chance to record a third win in a row and move up the National League Three North table.

Lymm’s line-up had a slightly unfamiliar look about it, with skipper Adam Bray missing out to bring his run of 86 consecutive starts to an end.

In conditions that were perfect for open rugby, Morley’s Mark Chester and Lymm’s Cormac Nolan traded early penalties before two more Chester kicks gave the visitors a six-point lead.

The hosts found their groove and got the first try when strong runs from Tom Bray and Joe Watson led to Andy Davies crossing from close range, with Nolan adding the conversion from out wide.

Bray went over in the corner following a five-metre scrum and intelligent work from Davies and Jake Ashall, with another Nolan conversion putting daylight between the sides.

However, after confusion reigned as to whether Morley had knocked on, Ben Bowen carried on and sheepishly raced to the try line for the visitors. The try stood and Chester’s conversion meant Lymm led by just one point at the break.

The opening 20 minutes of the second period proved to be a key period as Morley opened out a sizeable lead.

Poor communication between Davies and Will Titherington saw the ball go to ground on half way and Bowen reacted quickest to kick ahead and score his second try.

Despite being down to 14 men when Paddy Fisher-Taylor was sin-binned, Morley managed to hold off sustained Lymm pressure before Chester released Tim Spears to sprint home.

The introduction of Tom Shard at fly-half seemed to give Lymm some impetus, but his pass was intercepted by Andy Funnell and he ran 80 metres to score another Morley try.

Adam Fletcher’s side needed an urgent response and two quick tries from Titherington and Nolan, who added the conversions for both, raised hopes of a comeback.

Chester added a penalty to give Morley breathing space and they held on despite Davies scoring from a clever chip and chase late on.

Lymm, who stay eighth in the table, travel to second-placed Rossendale on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Lymm: Dan Horton, Ross White, Jordan Widdrington, Mike Auden, Alex Kahui, Joe Watson, Matt Connolly, Jake Ashall; Andy Davies, Will Titherington; Chris Owens, Ollie Higginson, Richard McEvoy, Cormac Nolan, Tom Bray. Subs: Jack Harper, Tom Shard, Tom Baker.