A TRIP to North Premier leaders Otley was always going to be the biggest test of Lymm’s excellent recent form.

Unfortunately, it proved a bridge too far as they slipped to a 34-5 defeat in Yorkshire, bringing to an end their run of six consecutive wins.

Lymm’s only score of the game arrived in the second half as second rower Harry Martin squeezed over in the right corner.

“Otley showed us why they are top of the league and were extremely ruthless from minute one,” director of rugby Adam Fletcher said.

“We struggled to get a foothold in the game and had to play catch-up from the off.

“I was really happy with how the boys started the second half, they showed great character to get the first score.”

Lymm face another stiff test on Saturday as they travel to second-placed Preston Grasshoppers.

Team: Matty Hand, Rob Makin, Kieron O'Callaghan, James Yates, Aaron Rasheed, Ali Sutherland, Harry Martin, Ollie Higginson; Gregor Watson, Scott Redfearn; Mick Stratford, Jonny Leota, Liam Connolly, Nathan Beasley, Cormac Nolan. Subs: Dan Horton, Alex Stewart, Joe Watson

In the North Two West, Warrington blitzed visitors Southport with 34 unanswered points either side of half-time to record a bonus-point win at Grappenhall Sports Club.

Full-back Jack Stride ran in a hat-trick of tries for Stuart Beeley’s side, with JP Hudson racking up 19 points by scoring a try and kicking six goals.

Jack Rigby, Jamie Abram and Will Morgan also crossed for Warrington, who travel to Tarleton on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Eagle ran riot at Thornton Road as they thrashed Wallasey 80-0 in NOWIRUL Division Three West.

Only three points separated the sides when they met in the reverse fixture in October, but Eagle had no such worries this time as they ran in 11 tries in a relentless display.

Jason Jackson and Kieran Thomas both scored hat-tricks, with further tries coming from Danny Cahill, Simon Banks, Joe Miller, Ben Mercer and man-of-the-match Almer Salvilla-Tagayuna.

Eagle are at home again on Saturday as they welcome Helsby to Thornton Road.