Lymm survive Harrogate pressure for victory

LYMM survived a Harrogate onslaught to close out an impressive away victory on Saturday.

They had survived numerous phases of home pressure in between tries from Matt Connelly, Olli Higginson and Luke Richards before masterfully closing out the win when the hosts closed to within a point with five minutes left.

Harrogate’s losing bonus point kept them above Lymm in the Northern Premier table, with Adam Fletcher’s side sitting fourth with three games remaining.

After 15 minutes getting used to a sodden pitch, Lymm put some phases together and a quick-tap penalty led to Connelly crashing over after good work from Andy Davies, James Kimber and Scott Redfern.

The home side kicked a penalty to get themselves on the board, but Joe Denman’s break from a kick return saw him find Higginson in support and he crossed for Lymm’s second try.

The visitors then lost Jake Ashall to a yellow card and Harrogate took full advantage to drive over and narrow the lead to just six points before the break.

After the interval, with Lymm still a man down, the hosts’ pack battered their way over again to take them into the lead for the first time.

However, once they were back to a full complement, Fletcher’s men stretched out again as Davies and Kimber linked to put Richards over.

Despite Harrogate grabbing another try, Lymm managed to hold on for the spoils.

All three of their remaining games this season are at Crouchley Lane, starting with Ilkley’s visit on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Lymm: Gav Woods, Adam Bray, Jordan Widdrington, Joe Watson, Matty Connelly, Sam Mullarkey, Jake Ashall, Olli Higginson; Andy Davies, Scott Redfern; Luke Richards, Tom Bray, James Kimber, Ali Sutherland, Joe Denman. Subs: Matty Hand, Grant Sneddon, Joe Fisher.