Wirral 20 Lymm 14

ADAM Fletcher has called for improvement “physically and mentally” from his Lymm side after they lost to Cheshire rivals Wirral.

Having led with just five minutes remaining, the second-placed side in the Northern Premier conceded a late try and could not force the home defence open again in the closing stages.

Despite the defeat, Lymm held onto their position in the league behind leaders Preston Grasshoppers.

However, Fletcher was under no illusions that his side must be better when third-placed Hull visit Crouchley Lane on Saturday, kick off 2.15.

“Ultimately we didn’t demonstrate our game, or plan, and they did,” he said.

“We didn’t get the basics right and our breakdown was not good enough.

“We’ve got to be stronger, both physically and mentally.”

Lymm took the lead early having turned the ball over in their own 22, with fast hands releasing Rhys Jones down the right wing.

He then passed inside for full-back Cormac Nolan, who stepped inside the defence to open the scoring.

However, Wirral hit back with a try of their own, with the conversion added to take them ahead before the sides swapped penalties to make the half-time scoreline 10-8 in the hosts’ favour.

Nolan kicked another penalty, but the home side replied in kind to regain their two-point lead.

The sides were equally matched in the forwards, but Lymm’s backs were misfiring and the ball was being slowed down at the breakdown.

Another penalty from Nolan gave Lymm the lead again after Wirral’s openside flanker Rob Pearl was penalised for handling while off his feet.

Eventually, however, Wirral’s pressure was rewarded as they put together several phases of possession before finally crossing in the corner.

Lymm needed a response, and they almost found one as they went through the phases and forced their opponents to concede several penalties in front of the posts.

Needing a converted try to snatch a victory, Lymm kept things rolling but they could not force their way over the line as they fell to only their second league defeat of the season.

Lymm: Gavin Woods, Dan Horton, Jordan Widdrington, Sam Mullarkey, Matthew Connelly, Jake Ashall, Adam Bray, Oli Higginson; Andy Davies, Scott Redfern; Rhys Jones, Richard McEvoy, James Kimber, Ali Sutherland, Cormac Nolan. Subs: Aaron Rasheed, James Yates, Tom Shard.