Lymm RUFC and Warrington RUFC escape relegation

ADAM Fletcher declared himself a very proud head coach after Lymm secured their Northern Premier survival in this nail-biting encounter.

The Crouchley Lane side trailed by 11 points at the interval – with a Richard Halford try and a Tom Shard penalty providing their points – but came back strongly in the second half.

Alfie Simpson and Scott Redfern scored to wipe out the deficit before Sandal resumed a six-point lead.

Alfie Simpson, top, and Scott Redfern race away for tries

However, two Aaron Rasheed tries – both converted by Shard – looked like earning Lymm the victory they needed.

They had to survive a late onslaught after the hosts narrowed their lead to just one point and with teams below them winning, an adverse result would have left their future in the balance.

However, they clung on for a critical five points.

“It was great to win and secure our place in this competitive league next season,” Fletcher said

“We didn’t play well enough in the first half and deserved to be losing. We turned it round in the second half by playing with tempo and more accuracy.

“It was a real nail-biter in the end but finally we got some well-deserved luck. I’m very proud of the boys.”

Lymm end their season at home to Billingham on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Lymm: Gavin Woods, Adam Bray, Jordan Widdrington, Aaron Rasheed, Matty Connelly, Jake Ashall, James Pitcher, Joe Watson; Tom Shard, Scott Redfern; Luke Richards, Ben Stansfield, James Kimber, Richard Halford, Tom Bray. Subs: Rob Makin, James Lewis, Alfie Simpson

Anselmians 14 Warrington 40

WHILE it may not have been their finest display, it was a case of “job done” for Andy Roberts and his Warrington side.

An ultimately convincing win ensured they would not join hosts Anselmians in a lower division as they confirmed their place in North One West for next season.

After a nervous start, Warrington eventually found their groove and had the game all but won by half time thanks to tries from Dan Fleming, Steve Pilkington and Chris White plus two Nathan Beasley conversions.

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White’s second try and a further effort from Kieron Hughes – both improved by Beesley – secured a bonus point before Anselmians enjoyed a purple patch.

They scored two tries in a 10-minute period, but never looked like mounting a serious comeback as Tom Wood rounded off the scoring with the game’s final try.

The result – plus defeats for Manchester and Firwood Waterloo – meant the threat of relegation had been successfully seen off.

While relieved to avoid the drop, head coach Roberts felt the anxiety of their league position showed in his side’s performance.

“This was probably not our best performance of the season,” Roberts said.

“We made too many mistakes and perhaps a few of the players were a little too anxious to get on the scoresheet.

Still, it's a five-pointer which, combined with other results, guarantees our place in the league next season.”

Warrington’s final game of the season sees them welcome Birkenhead Park to Walton Lea Road on Saturday, kick off 1.30pm.