Preston Grasshoppers 19 Lymm 13

HEAD coach Adam Fletcher says “size told” as Lymm lost their first Northern Premier game of the season on Saturday.

In a clash of two unbeaten sides, it was hosts and league leaders Preston Grasshoppers who moved clear at the league’s summit.

Skipper Adam Bray scored Lymm’s only try, with Cormac Nolan adding a conversion and two penalties.

“At the end of the day it was good to get the bonus point,” Fletcher said.

“They won the set-piece and the touchline was their friend.

“The boys did well and we were in it for quite a while but size told.”

After a sustained period of pressure, the hosts took the lead from an attacking scrum, forcing their way over the line next to the posts.

However, Lymm’s response was immediate and a sniping run from scrum-half Andy Davies created space for Bray to cross between the uprights.

Nolan kicked a long-range penalty to give his side a 10-7 lead at the break, but Hoppers regained the advantage 10 minutes into the second half with a well-executed rolling maul.

The hosts scored again in the left corner to put themselves firmly in control, and Lymm were staring a first defeat of the campaign in the face.

Another Nolan penalty at least ensured a losing bonus point for Fletcher’s side, who welcome Harrogate to Crouchley Lane on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Lymm: Gavin Woods, Adam Bray, Dan Horton, Matty Connolly, Joe Watson, Sam Mullarkey, Ali Sutherland, Oli Higginson; Andy Davies, Scott Redfern; Joe Denman, Tom Bray, James Kimber, Richard McEvoy, Cormac Nolan. Subs: Jordan Widdrington, Lucas Titherington, Jake Ashall.

Lymm 2nd 52 Rochdale 2nd 15

JAMES’ Robinson’s first-half treble helped Lymm’s seconds to another victory on Saturday as they put Rochdale to the sword.

The hosts stormed into a 33-0 lead at the break, with Robinson’s treble being added to by Rhys Jones and James Pitcher.

Ben Rees’ try extended Lymm’s advantage after the break before the visitors hit back with three unconverted scores.

However, Lymm finished strongly as Jones added a second try and Richard Halford crossing. Jones also added six conversions.

Lymm: S Bytheway, J Pitcher, M Hands, H Baldwin, L Coates, O Thornton, J Yates, B Rees; T Baker, W Titherington; J Hamer, R Halford, R Jones, J Reynolds, J Robinson. Subs: J Dowdeswell, R Riddell.