Kirkby Lonsdale 19 Lymm 13

A “HORRIFIC” injury to Oli Higginson compounded a disappointing afternoon for Lymm on Saturday.

Number eight Higginson, who had earlier scored a try, was injured in a late Lymm attack and was due to have surgery on Monday after suffering a broken leg and knee damage.

Cashel Chilvers scored the visitors’ other try, with Cormac Nolan adding a penalty as they came up short in their quest for a third straight victory.

“A really disappointing performance, compounded by the horrific injury to Oli Higginson,” head coach Adam Fletcher said.

“We made far too many mistakes, didn’t work hard enough in defence and made poor decisions throughout the game.

“The boys are disappointed and keen to rectify the performance.

“We can’t keep giving teams an early advantage and expect to overhaul them.

“I’ve challenged them to turn it around for our home match against Vale of Lune next Saturday.”

Senior colt James Rooney was making his debut, and the 17-year-old centre quickly found out what first-team rugby was all about when his pass was intercepted to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.

Nolan booted a penalty to keep Lymm in touch, but another Kirky Lonsdale try put them comfortably ahead.

Higginson then took matters into his own hands as he rode through several tackles to touch down from 20 metres out just before the break.

Lymm really did sense an opportunity after the interval and Chilvers burst over after a rolling maul to reduce the deficit to just one point.

However, this proved a false dawn as the hosts grabbed another try to give them more comfort.

Higginson’s injury then came at a bad time and the confidence visibly drained from his teammates, but they muscled up to ensure Kirkby Lonsdale did not cross again.

As Fletcher mentioned, Lymm’s next game sees them welcome Vale of Lune – the Northern Premier’s bottom side – to Crouchley Lane on Saturday.

Lymm: Gav Woods, Cashel Chilvers, Matty Hand, Matty Connelly, Joe Watson, Ali Sutherland, Adam Bray, Oli Higginson; Andy Davies, Scott Redfearn; Luke Richards, Ben Stansfield, James Rooney, Richard McEvoy, Cormac Nolan. Subs: Jordan Widdrington, Zak Lythgoe, Tom Shard.