Lymm 7 Sandal 6

WHILE Saturday’s victory over Sandal will not go down as a classic, it meant the world to Lymm.

They were finally able to convert promising recent displays into points as Richard Halford’s first-half try proved enough to end a six-match winless run.

The visitors replied with two penalties and were camped on the home line in an attempt to snatch victory, but the Lymm defence proved resolute.

The heavens opened just after kick off at Crouchley Lane, leaving the prospect of free-flowing rugby unlikely.

Still, Lymm pressed ahead and were rewarded midway through the first half when a well-executed scrum move saw Halford gallop home from the halfway line, with Cormac Nolan crucially adding the extras.

However, the penalty count started to mount up against Lymm and Sandal kicked one of them to narrow the deficit to four points before half time.

Sandal continued to chip away after the break and kicked another penalty to really bring the heat on the hosts.

Despite wave after wave of pressure, however, the Lymm defence continued to turn back the tide to secure a crucial victory.

Adam Fletcher’s side travel to Rossendale on Saturday for their final game of 2018.

Lymm: Gavin Woods, Adam Bray, Matty Hand, Matty Connelly, Aaron Rasheed, Joe Watson, James Pitcher, Ali Sutherland; Tom Shard, Scott Redfern; Richard McEvoy, James Kimber, Richard Halford, Joe Senior, Cormac Nolan. Subs: Jordan Widdrington, Cashel Chilvers, Tom Bray