Out On A Limb, ‘Street See Off Lymm.
Last quarter flourish tips the balance in ‘Street’s favour.
Having been postponed last week at the end of a long coach trip up the M6 to Cheshire, a second trudge was to be trying in itself, especially with Lymm RFC being expectedly undecided over the playability of their glue pot pitches, but; to suffer the disruption of losing eight players from the previous week’s selection due to injury, illness and unavailability, made this maximum point victory more impressive and so much more sweeter write Lee Stanton and Bob Harcourt (by satellite link). In fact, this was another defining moment in ‘Street’s title chasing season. Whilst there was little or no difference in the ability on show; the sheer disruption that so many changes inevitability brings meant that a collective dogged fighting spirit was needed to overcome a difficult, rain battered, mud-sodden surface in a testing encounter against a highly committed Lymm outfit, who themselves have some excellent performances under their belt, despite their position in the league. There were debuts for a talented Greg Evans at centre; Corey Venus at full back and returning ‘grafter’ Gareth Turner in the back row and on the bench, hooker Sam Harcourt making the squad at just 19 years of age. With injuries and unavailability in the second row, flanker Chris Zutic put in a great performance at lock together with mentor Matthew Solomon, especially at lineout time; and then Tom Harris, moving from wing to centre and still carrying an injury, but still eager to support the cause in its need, proving as steady as a rock. With 15 minutes remaining ‘Street were 17 – 28 in arrears and looking truly undone when salvation tries came from outstanding Tommy Harris, his second, and a sustained forward barrage minutes from time seeing prop Ben Dawes bulldozered over by his mates for the winner. With talisman kicker Lee Chapman injuring his ankle on Thursday night and equally gifted fly half Danny Richards at a wedding, newly signed full back, Corey Venus stepped up on his debut to convert both, giving the visitors the victory and five extremely valuable points.
Chris ZuticLymm got on to the score board first with a two minute penalty taken by wing Cormack Nolan, 3 – 0, before winger Tommy Harris; putting in an inspired performance and his best game to date, dotted the first of his two tries. The conversion was missed by Venus; 3 – 5 with five minutes played. Lymm regained the lead at the end of the first quarter with a try by Andrew Rowley, converted by Nolan, 10 – 5. Needing to stay in touch, ‘Street scored their second try through hooker, Stewart Pearl, but again the conversion flew wide to show the score after 30 minutes as all square at 10 – 10. Before the break Lymm registered their second converted try through no 8 Ollie Higginson and kicker Nolan; Half Time: Lymm 17 Broadstreet 10.
Harry PendletonStraight off Lymm increased that lead with a penalty goal, 20 – 10 and then 10 minutes later scrum half Will Owen restored colour to the ‘Street supporters' faces with a well taken try, converted by Venus, to put the Coventry side back in touch at 20 – 17 and still half an hour to play. Harry Pendleton replaced, a short on game time, Neil Tatlow at tight head prop after 50 minutes and both gave it their all it must be said as ‘Street found themselves out on a limb, when three minutes later Lymm nudged further ahead with another penalty goal; 23 – 17 and then three minutes into the final quarter increased their lead to a healthy 28 – 17 through an unconverted try by lock Sion Williams. Seven minutes to go and Stewart Pearl in the sin bin (Lymm attracted three yellows at various stages: Jordan Widdrington, Cormack Nolan and Sion Williams); up steps Tommy Harris to produce his second; add a Venus conversion and ‘Street supporters who had been urging on the ‘Street to score a converted try to gain a losing bonus point, could now, beyond their wildest expectations, see the prospect of a win and maximum points, but with very little time left. Seemingly taking an eternity, ‘Street’s siege of Lymm’s line went on and on with bodies diving everywhere as ‘Street pounded and Lymm resisted, before a mass forward effort, aided by two threequarters, saw Dawes driven over at the posts carrying a muddied blob of a ball. Corey Venus added the two point conversion before the final whistle blew. Full Time: Lymm 28 Broadstreet 31.
Alex BeddowsGareth TurnerOverall assessment; well, ‘Street the win and Lymm, maybe the praise for a ferocious performance filled with cup final fervour and, it is fair to say that they could be excused for feeling terribly disappointed in losing, but, ultimately, the ‘Street’s win is also a testament to strength in depth and a determination not to be fazed by the disruption of last minute absenteeism of players and a desperately vociferous home crowd. Lucky? There’s no such thing in sport (if that is what the game still is in all quarters); you make your decisions and you let fate take you where it may! Well done, gentlemen. A lot of character shown – and mates pulling together at a time of huge asking should always stand a chance! Great leadership too from stand-in captain and fly half Nick Thatcher and his half back partner Will Owen and; commendable teamsmanship, exemplified by the work rate of a back row of, Jamie Harrop, Alex Beddows and Gareth Turner, in an all-round never-say-die performance.
Mrs Freemantle had a week off as her son was on a sabbatical of some description in Ireland. I can imagine what she would have said should we have lost!
Cameo Moment: The twenty or so phases at the end of the match earning the winning try. A real team effort!
Team: Dawes, Pearl, Tatlow; Solomon M, Zutic; Beddows, Harrop, Turner; Owen, Thatcher; Harris Tommy, Evans, Harris Tom, Gregson; Venus. Reps: Pendleton, Harcourt, Hurst.
Newport RFC next Saturday at home - today a good win, tomorrow is another day, so keep on pulling together boys!
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