GIVEN their superb form, Lymm RFC could be forgiven for not wanting the season to end.
Alas, their North Premier campaign did wrap up on Saturday and a fifth-place finish gives great cause for optimism for the 2022-23 season at Beechwood.
Kirkby Lonsdale were thrashed 50-12 at the weekend for Lymm’s sixth victory in a row and their 12th in their last 14 matches – all on director of rugby Adam Fletcher’s 40th birthday.
“Really happy to finish the season with another five-point win,” he said after watching his side run in eight tries in Cumbria.
“Kirkby put us under pressure at the breakdown and tested us out wide, so we had to be really switched on.
“Overall, delighted with the win.”
It is a season that has broken many club records, with the team scoring more wins, tries and bonus points than they ever have in a single season.
They were 21-0 up and in control at the interval as James Yates, Gregor Watson and Oli Higginson all crossed the whitewash, with Cormac Nolan converting all three tries.
Oli Higginson touches down
Their four-try bonus point was secure just after the break as Alfie Simpson finished off a sweeping move while Rhys Lilly scored from close range shortly afterwards.
After Kirkby had got themselves on the board, Lymm hit back with two more tries courtesy of Sam Wadsworth and Rory Riddell and after the hosts had posted their second touchdown, Harry Martin rounded off the scoring to take Lymm to the 50-point mark.
From top, tries scored by Rhys Lilly and Sam Wadsworth
Team: Gav Woods, Adam Bray, Matty Hand, James Yates, Aaron Rasheed, Ed Morris, Harry Martin, Oli Higginson; Gregor Watson, Alfie Simpson; Rory Riddell, Sam Wadsworth, Josh Hadland, Dalton Frith, Cormac Nolan. Subs: Jordan Widdrington, Rob Makin, Rhys Lilly
Meanwhile, Lymm’s third team won 33-8 at Linley and Kidsgrove in what was their final away game of the season.
Matt Hill scored twice for the visitors, with further scores coming from Will Higgins, Matt Grellier and Reece Forrest.
They will wrap up their season on home soil on Saturday as they host Winnington Park’s second team.
Team: Ollie Chesworth, Will Higgins, David Coon, Max Ure, Jez Ure, Jim France, Tom Coon, Matt Grellier; James Anderson, Andy Roberts; Tom Coghill, Matt Hill, Kieran Williams, Reece Forest, Stu Norman. Subs: Keith Broadbent, Josh Keefe
Elsewhere, Eagle RUFC staged a superb fightback against league leaders Port Sunlight in a thrilling top-versus-second clash at Thornton Road.
Having trailed 17-0 after 20 minutes and 22-12 at half time, the hosts edged to a 38-37 victory thanks in part to a hat-trick of tries from Ashley Losh.
Jake Toher also scored twice, with Niall Toher scoring Eagle’s other try as they withstood some late pressure to secure victory.
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