Blaydon 33 Lymm 18

HEAD coach Adam Fletcher was keen to take the positives from another defeat for his Lymm side.

They competed for long periods against second-place Blaydon, but the hosts eventually came away with the victory while Lymm were unable to secure any bonus points.

It puts their home game against bottom side Wilmslow on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm, into even sharper focus as they aim to move away from the Northern Premier relegation zone.

“I’m happy with large parts of the performance but we have to control the ball a little better,” Fletcher said.

“We presented Blaydon with too many opportunities from either poor basic skill or lack of execution at the lineout.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to take any points from the game but there are definite positives that we can take away."

“We have a big week of training ahead in preparation for a must-win game at home to Wilmslow.”

With the club’s injury crisis showing no sign of abating, several players were forced to play out of position but Lymm started well as Aaron Rashid finished a move he started by powering over in the corner.

Blaydon did get a foothold in the game and crossed from an attacking scrum to take the lead before a rolling maul allowed them to score another try.

However, Scott Redfern’s try with an added Cormac Nolan conversion got Lymm back in the game before a bizarre incident stretched Blaydon’s lead again.

The home side broke through and were about to score when the referee twisted his ankle and fell over.

He blew the whistle to stop the game, but play carried on and Blaydon crossed the line. The rules stated a try could not be awarded, but the official was happy to give the try after Lymm’s players confirmed it was a perfectly good score.

Nolan kicked two penalties either side of half time to take the score to 21-18 in Blaydon’s favour but elected against another attempt at goal when Lymm were awarded another.

They kicked to the corner, but the visitors’ troubles at the lineout continued and Blaydon were able to steal possession back.

A contentious yellow card for Nolan swung it Blaydon’s way and they took full advantage ­– scoring twice in the final quarter to rub salt in the Lymm wounds.

Lymm: Gav Woods, Adam Bray, Jordan Widdrington, Marty Connelly, Aaron Rashid, Jake Ashall, James Pitcher, Joe Watson; Tom Shard, Scott Redfern; Tom Baker, Ben Stansfield, Richard Halford, Ali Sutherland, Cormac Nolan. Subs: Matty Hand, Rob Makin, James Lewis

Caldy 2nd 70 Lymm 2nd 0

WITH only four players from last week’s 18-man squad travelling, an inexperienced Lymm side were dominated by their Caldy counterparts.

The hosts scored from the very first play of the game and never looked back as they ruthlessly dispatched the visitors.

There were positives for Lymm, with Dan Horton leading from the front while there were promising displays from Josh Davies and Jonno Simpson in the backs.

Lymm squad: J Hamer, S Fisher, J Davies, J Fletcher, J Reynolds, H Simpson, G Anderson, K Fox, R Forrest, V Maharaja, P Hincliffe, O Chesworth, A Norcott, D Horton, J Norcott