Lymm 20 Wilmslow 12

DESPITE what head coach Adam Fletcher called a “strange and frustrating performance,” Lymm ended their winless run by beating already-relegated side Wilmslow on Saturday.

In what was a must-win game against already-relegated Wilmslow, the Crouchley Lane side were victorious for the first time in 2019.

They now sit five points clear of the relegation zone ahead of another crucial clash at second-bottom Kendal on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Tom Shard scored a try and four goals after skipper Adam Bray opened the scoring early against, but Lymm were frustrated in their search for a four-try bonus point.

Furthermore, Richard Halford and Ali Sutherland had to be replaced as the club’s injury crisis threatened to deepen, but Fletcher is hopeful neither injury is too serious.

“A strange and frustrating performance, but we got the win that we so much needed,” he said.

“Wilmslow played well with a nothing-to-lose attitude and we looked like a team that was nervous and desperate to win.

“A big positive was the lineout and the appearance from the bench of Tom Bray.

“We still have to improve on our basic skills and kicking game and we are giving too much ball away.

“We just hope that Richard Halford and Ali Sutherland’s injuries are not too serious.”

It took the hosts just two minutes to open the scoring as James Kimber broke and fed Bray to cross the whitewash.

Wilmslow weathered the early storm and hit back with a try of their own to reduce the lead to two points.

However, a high tackle gave Shard the chance to boot over a penalty which he quickly followed with another just before half time.

Lymm’s lineout has held them back in recent weeks, but it was in good working order after the break when Aaron Rasheed’s take created a gap for Shard to score.

To their credit, Wilmslow continued to fight and scored an interception try just after the hour mark.

Both sides had spells of dominance in the final quarter but good defence on both sides ensured there was no further score.

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