ADAM Fletcher was full of praise for how his Lymm side handled treacherous conditions to win at Rossendale on Saturday.

All but three of the game’s points were scored in the first half, with the visitors defying a strong wind against them to keep their hosts scoreless after the break and secure a 29-19 win.

Cormac Nolan scored a try as well as kicking three conversions and a penalty while Nathan Beesley, Steve Pilkington and Oli Higginson also crossing to secure a bonus point for the Crouchley Lane side.

The win is Lymm’s first away from home since November 9 and it allowed them to further cement their seventh-place position in the Northern Premier ahead of a trip to fifth-place Sandal on Saturday.

“It’s always great to get a win at Rossendale. It’s a notoriously hard place to play, especially in winter,” director of rugby Fletcher said.

“To be fair, the pitch was in really good condition and allowed for both teams to play rugby. The wind, on the other hand, was pretty brutal.

“I thought our defence was tenacious and forced them into a number of mistakes, a number of which we managed to capitalise on.

“Turning round at half time against the wind and with only a seven-point advantage was always going to be tough.

“However, the boys managed the half brilliantly to keep Rossendale scoreless.”

Lymm: Matty Hand, Adam Bray, Jordan Widdrington, James Yates, Aaron Rasheed, Campbell Thomson, James Lewis, Oli Higginson; Tom Shard, Tom Bray, Cormac Nolan, James Kimber, Steve Pilkington, Nathan Beesley, Scott Redfarn. Subs: Dan Horton, Matty Connelly, Josh Hadland

Meanwhile, Lymm’s seconds progressed to the semi finals of the NOWIRUL League Cup at the expense of their Birkenhead Park counterparts.

Jake Ashall crossed twice for Lymm, whose other tries came from Ali Sutherland, Reece Forrest, Rory Riddell and Richie McEvoy.

Lymm: Richard McEvoy, James Hamer, Josh Davies, Ben Stansfield, Josh Reynolds, Will Leach, Tom Baker, Jake Ashall, Rory Riddell, Ali Sutherland, Joe Dowdeswell, Reece Forrest, Alex Rae, James Pitcher, David Coon. Subs: Alfie Simpson, Jon Long, Peter Millachip