In a week where I start to sharpen my football punditry as I hear there’s a job going at the BBC we welcome the league leaders Lymm which is tricky to say after a few San Miguel’s. Having been A.W.O.L. for a while I have been watching both the Billingham and England games via text messaging which highlights that its small margins and you have to take your chances. Sport is very unforgiving, no one is going to give you a hand up so you have to keep chipping away, grasp for every point as it’s going to be tight as the table starts to settle into the top, middle and dog fight at the bottom.
Nice to spend time and stretch with the gym buddies on Thursday plus the parmo wraps were going down well, apparently exercise during the winter months keeps the physical and mental mojo. Lots to catch up with as usual, including chaffing updates plus lubrication tips via our chaffing expert currently cycling in warmer climes, the injury list, red card, yellow card and what the weekend holds for the various teams. Bit upset because as usual where have you been questions are asked when I appear but then the Santa cut out appears in the bar, 10 months missing and no one says a thing. Is it too early to put the lights up?
It’s a fair and clear Saturday as I rock up to greenwood road, lots of the usual faces are missing due to fixture congestion and birthday shopping, its Mike on the Mike with a Nashville themed playlist for the afternoon. Stu’s legs are out on dugout control and Dave’s on the pitch gate so the mount is quality not quantity. Lymm look a mobile pack and the warm up see’s the ball being pinged about flat with the odd loose pass. The home side disappears into the changing rooms first as Lymm jog off later with the coaching staff collecting the cones and adjusting their ball bags. Lymm out first black tops with golden tight hoops, followed by the Green and white led out by James Watson on his 50th cap. The officials follow in a vibrant pink, not that I have written that down I can just see into the fuchsia. Enough of this frivolity, game on.
Billingham kick off playing away from the club house towards the mount, it’s over to the dugout side as Lymm collect in traffic then make yards up through the chase. They set their stall out early with the ball being moved out quickly to the stand side but not releasing at the breakdown gives the first penalty to the home team which Ryan pops up the wing. Billingham line out on just inside the 22 but Lymm get up in front to steal the ball, no real advantage or gain but Lymm secure and the scrum half pops a box kick. I hope that Teesside airport warned any air traffic as its way into the sky which allows Lymm to organise the chase, it’s falling into Peter E’s hands at the same time as a player clatters him causing the ball to bounce out and forward. As Peter remains on the ground Lymm collect the knock on and despite the Billingham chase run it in to open the score. Conversion is just short as the visitors banish the doughnut early for 0 - 5 and Peter continues to receive treatment and assessment.
It’s good to go for the club legend as Billingham kick off again, Lymm collect again and Lymm look to get the runners in the game straight away. Over this season we have seen many teams look to batter the ball up the middle not willing to air the ball and the squad graft has been up to the task, this is a different proposition as the scrum half plays like a 10 so joins the line quickly to overload, the 10 runs a dummy line until the second phase when the use of the delayed and flat pass brings the runners in with pace. It’s massively effective with Lymm playing a very high tempo and having a various options with a visible overlap when they have the ball in hand. The Billingham defence is looking at multiple options to cover but is aided with some loose passing as Lymm knock on down the stand side. Scrum looks solid as Jacko picks from the base and Billingham look to put some phases together, not much on to a nudge and chase is applied. Lymm cover and return the ball with a bouncer that turns Billingham around, with nothing on and a good chase it’s safely into touch. Lymm control the line out and its out along the line to stretch the defence again on the stand side, quick breakdown as they straighten up in the middle tackles are missed which draw in the cover. Lymm then switch wide again and with numbers over increase their score with a converted try 0 – 12.
Billingham kick off but it’s not 10 as a Billingham hand get a touch so it’s back to the centre spot for a scrum, Lymm ball, Scrum half feeds collects and then loops round in the line to overload the stand side, a Billingham hand knocks on to give another scrum further down the pitch. Lymm test the dugout side with the runners lined up and nudge has a little too much as its goes dead. From the drop out Billingham retrieve but Lymm are not giving any options so phases are taken but no gain is made, Billingham are forced to kick which goes straight out so its comes back. Billingham get a hand into the line out so collect and set up but Lymm are happy not to allow any breaks and not commit too many to the breakdown. When they do get the turnover its quick ball, through hands with the runner breaking tackles the whitewash is soon broken again, converted the visitors are motoring into a 0 – 19 lead.
Billingham restart and Lymm return the ball quickly; it’s a long pass that sets Billingham away up the stand side as they look to spend some time in the Lymm half. Jonny Horner, Louie Groak and Jo Scarborough look lively as the older hands in the back line look to set up the flyers into some space but any clear gaps are very hard to come by. The man in the middle has his arm aloft as advantage is played which peters out so the kick to touch is taken. It’s collected by Billingham as the runners are in with the ball switched coast to coast, Ben Walton on a drive as Jamie and Ryan keep the momentum up. Groaky has a go as the forwards clean out and the ball is switched back across as the 50 caps James has a strong drive, Lymm looks to cover but Nathan Myers picks the ball and finds a line to canter in unchallenged. As Ryan adds the extra the home team is on the board at 7 – 19.
Rising hope from the home supporters as cold filters up from the feet on the mount as staff cross pitch breeze picks up. Lymm kick off for the first time this half, a high one which Billingham secure and clear into touch after a couple of phases. Lymm continue to ask questions going round the corner then across the pitch before they knock on. Billingham are looking to counter more as the game develops, Josh Wilson avoiding a tackle making good ground but as its lost Adam Brown showing the full skill set with a cheeky bobble kick through that just evades a runner. From the Line out Lymm switch in gear again, when it comes off it looks so slick, slick through hands and a delayed pass to post the winger into the corner. Converted the visitors push on to 7 -24.
For the remainder of the half no further points are added but both teams have chances. Lymm get good field position as Billingham don’t roll away at the breakdown. Opting for the corner Billingham steal the line out and Lymm infringe to eager to get the ball back. Then the next line out is not straight so another chance for Lymm that ends up in a knock on, Billingham then have a long passage of posetion in which they creep up the pitch due to graft and half breaks right across the squad. Its building as Billingham look for a chance and a inside pass gets knocked on, Billingham get the squeeze on at the scrum and Jacko wraps up the opposite 8 with the ball. Unfortunately then you leave it alone but we don’t so Lymm get the chance to clear. From the line out its Lymm moving the ball but get caught by slow ball and a counter ruck at the breakdown, its along kick up field with Jamie on the chase, the ball is collected and Jamie is evaded but the tackle comes in quick and no release from Lymm. A quick tap and Lymm are not 10 but the play develops and Adam Brown pops up on the wing, Lymm counter and play comes back for the penalty. After a few words a yellow is shown for the not 10, cynical penalty apparently and Lymm reshuffle as the player wearing 10 is taken off and a forward on. Billingham have several attempts but Lymm flex and hold, as Billingham knock on the first half finishes. Lymm have a long conversation with the man in the middle as the long walk to the club house from the top is undertaken.
Many of the mount head for warmer and more refreshing view points as I attempt to get some feeling into my feet, no eggnog or even the passing white Russian. Those that do pass the mount comment that even walking around the pitch is cold so I remain where I am and engage in conversation with Chris H. Various Nashville hits flow up the pitch but no sign of any line dancing down at the club house. 3rd prize in the raffle was 986 – 990 on blue if you need to collect your prize.
Into the second half sports fans and Billingham play towards the club house with Lymm putting boot to ball to open proceedings, a man down and 7 – 26 in the lead. It’s a high kick off over Ben’s W outstretched hand one bounce into touch, Line out is scrappy but Dan Burns cleans up collecting the ball and through the line out up the pitch. It’s a positive start from the home side as they move up the pitch, as Ryan pops a kick over the line as Billingham look to chase Lymm cover well and cleanly send the ball out. It’s even exchanges as the second half develops as both teams look for a rhythm after the break, Lymm knocking on and the odd loose pass creeping in. Its ebb and flow until Lymm switch into gear again with a training ground move runners over outside with a delayed pass into a gap allowing a run in wide. Unconverted the visitors stretch the lead to 7 - 31.
It kick exchanges to open the next passage of play, Lymm sending the ball up filed and closing the options with a strong chase. Billingham work hard to retain the ball and then post Luke into a gap the inside pass being knocked on but Billingham start to build at the scrum putting pressure on Lymm and regaining the ball. Jonny looking lively as Billingham speed up the ball as the probe down the dugout side. It’s switched back across and Lymm get caught on the wrong side, I expect that he was being held in as its 10 more for discussion. Billingham opt for the scrum, Jacko picks and after a few breakdowns Matty White gets over the line, it’s a quick conversion for 14 – 31, as the club house end livens up.
Billingham collect the kick off and set off looking to keep uncle mo on their side, they move up the pitch until Lymm apply numbers and counter ruck the breakdown. With ball in hand they start to set up but as the strong runners gather the flat pass goes forward. Form the scrum Billingham look to nudge a kick through and chase but Lymm collect having to duck as a high shot comes in and misses but is hardly disguised. Its big penalty boot into touch from Lymm as Billingham are forced to defend as a scrappy line out is cleaned up and Lymm go up the middle, ball lost and Eldon Myers spins out of a tackle. Its back across the pitch as Billingham look to break out, still in their own half it’s a kick pass out to Scabs who is around his opposite number and away. He passes inside early to the support runner then continues his run to collect the return pass to score in the corner, unconverted the scoreboard moves to 19 – 31 or 19 – 33?
Just as someone somewhere is thinking about a whitty comeback it’s a quick response from Lymm, from the kick off Billingham collect but its quickly turned over and then along the line as quick hands get the runner open and in. The conversion gives the post a good ring but stays out, Lymm maintaining the tempo with ball in hand for 19 – 36.
It looks like the game is out of reach at this late stage but any points in this league are like gold dust so it’s the home team in search of another try for the four. It’s a bit cagey as kicks are exchanged, Eldon Myers is asking questions of the Lymm defence as they commit numbers and Billingham are using the scrum to set up. It’s a kick to the corner from a penalty for Billingham as they look for the catch and drive, there are a couple of chances but Lymm hold firm. I can’t see much from the far end but the club house chorus is in full voice. Lymm look to have the ball but the arm is aloft, Billingham opt for the scrum under the posts, it’s a couple of resets and a word from the man in the middle. Lose with the pickup and pass allows Lymm to collect and clear plus steal the line out and set off up the pitch. Another penalty and Lymm move further up but at the lien out Jacko gets into Lymm jumper to secure the ball in the maul. It’s a long way out but aided with a Lymm infringement Billingham move up the pitch, Horner has a dive up the middle and Scabs nearly gets a high pass, just out of reach. It’s Billingham trying to stretch Lymm across the pitch as outside and inside passes don’t open the door. Its kitchen sink time as Billingham get another scrum via a penalty and the attacks get closer and closer based on the club house feedback. After several close chances its Eldon Myers who bags the try and gets the bonus point, Jobe adds the extras to close the game at 26 – 36.
A valuable point against a very fine tuned outfit, although it was cold the rugby was top notch, really interesting to watch the Lymm combinations create chances and full graft from the home team to get something out of the match. It’s been slim pickings for the team recently given the strength of the league, but our squad continues to build its experience and most have to rock up at work, college or school on Monday I expect very achy. Hope this clarifies some comments regarding that I only report when we win, I’m just very lucky to be part of this club and I can confirm one of the tunes on Saturday was by Slim Pickings.
No time in this report for its cold up top, more stickers than a Panini book, get your go forward, honest comments, snow by Tuesday, still on the train, I’d rather be there, till kerfuffle, let’s all retire, cauliflower bake vs. parmo wrap, layer up, book early for busses and what’s on your Christmas list then?
‘When you fall get right back up. Just keep going, keep pushing it.’ – Lindsay Vonn
An innocent bystander.