Wet Cheshire weather backdrops 26-0 victory for Lymm over Wharfedale

Lymm secured a 26-0 victory over Wharfedale in a match that, due to the wet Cheshire weather, saw "little entertaining rugby."

The Wharfedale faithful swelled the home crowd to an impressive 186.

Warm words were given at the pre-lunch meal by Wharfedale chairman, John Sykes, who congratulated Lymm for this season's progress.

Wharfedale were guilty of getting on the wrong side of the referee early on and conceded six penalties in the first 19 minutes, and they picked up a yellow card.

The first 3 penalties allowed Lymm to set up camp on Wharfedale's 5-metre line.

A successful catch and drive ended with Oliver Higginson touching down and Jack Reynolds adding the conversion.

Wharfedale fought hard until the interval but penalties and mistakes stopped them from getting any reward.

The second period started in a similar way to the beginning of the match.

Two penalties saw Lymm again with a 5-metre line out and the pack did the rest.

Robert Makin was awarded the score and Reynolds added the extras.

From the restart Wharfedale started to dominate play and Lymm were now conceding penalties.

They could not cross the whitewash despite spending multiple phases in Lymm’s 22.

Lymm’s third try was the only bright moment of a dull day.

Dale had a line-out outside Lymm’s 22.

The ball was lost and Lymm went through 4 phases before an excellent break was made by Sam Wadsworth.

He had hit the line at speed and took the pass and was gone, and he had the skill to beat the defence to score himself.

There was no conversion but this try seemed to break deadlock and give Lymm the chance of a bonus point fourth try.

The fourth try again came when Wharfedale were in Lymm’s 22 with an attacking lineout.

Lymm won the ball and a huge kick was sent downfield which just held up before the dead-ball line.

Under pressure from Lymm’s superfast winger, Patrick Jennings, the ball was fumbled and Lymm had an attacking 5-metre scrum.

Lymm won the ball and on 2nd phase Tom Manaton scored.

Reynolds was accurate from the tee to finish the scoring and the final whistle came as a relief.

Dale remain in 5th position and, next week, the squad have a weekend off before the run in to Christmas.

The weekend off will be followed by a match against Chester at home.

Afterwards will be Fylde away; and after that, the Christmas Derby against Harrogate at the Avenue.

Wharfedale Bullough; Viner, Prell, Cicognini, Hamilton; Davidson, Riddiough (Kaup-Samuels 51); Patchett, Stockdale (Collinson 69), Armstrong (Hirst 74), Borill, Hedgley (Beecroft 59), Heys (Hedgley 62), Pinder (Weston 74), Fawcett