Rossendale 10 Lymm 38

LYMM maintained second place in the RFU North Premier Division courtesy of a first win achieved at Rossendale in more than 10 years.

Adam Fletcher's expansive side, which has the best defensive record in the league, were 26-0 ahead by half time despite the hosts territorially holding the upper hand.

Lymm did have the advantage of playing downhill in wet and windy conditions in the first period, but did so with a changed side that seemed to have no impact on their rhythm.

Coach Adam Fletcher said: “Following some squad changes, I am delighted at the way the team maintained its shape and game management.

"We left probably another 15 points on the pitch, but in these conditions it was a job well done.”

Rossendale banked on the slope working to their advantage in the second half but when Lymm added the first try of the second half there were no doubts.

Nice touches from scrum half Andy Davies led to the opening tries from Cormack Nolan and Matty Connolly.

Tom Bray was involved in the build-up to the next two tries, the first by Sam Mullarkey while Scott Redfern was off the field with a yellow card and then a second from Nolan, whose third conversion was a superb kick from the touchline.

Olli Higginson gathered recycled ball for the all-important first try after the interval.

Two Rossendale tries sandwiched Richard McEvoy's effort as the scoring concluded.

Lymm, two points adrift of table toppers Preston Grasshoppers, have a first-ever meeting with struggling East Yorkshire sude Pocklington on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Lymm: Jordan Widdrington, Adam Bray, Dan Horton, Matty Connelly, Joe Watson, Sam Mullarkey, Alli Sutherland, Olli Higginson, Andy Davies, Scott Redfern, Lucas Titherington, Tom Bray, James Kimber, Richard McEvoy, Cormac Nolan, Matty Hand, Ben Rees, Jake Ashall.