Rugby Union: Lymm 6, Bradford & Bingley 25; by Bill Marshall.

Bradford and Bingley handed Lymm their heaviest home defeat so far this season in Thwaites North Division Two.

Admittedly, it was the Cheshire club's seventh setback as hosts in nine matches, but their losses are usually narrow.

It was a day for a combative pack performance by the Bees and plenty of tackling, and only rarely did their backs get the chance to shine.

But when they did they took a large proportion of their chances, and the visitors must also have been delighted that all they conceded were two penalties.

Experienced Bees flanker Richard Head said: "It was a disciplined display, and we didn't react to their provocation.

"A crucial moment happened in the third minute when their lock Dave Reed was yellow-carded for punching Richard Hagerty. That helped to quieten him down.

"Key points too were not conceding a try, and the try that our scrum half Peter Watts stole in the second half.

"It was an energy-sapping game on a poor pitch, but it was our seventh win out of eight away.

"But next Saturday is another massive game for us at home to Chester. They are now third behind Driffield on points difference, while we are four points ahead of them both with a game in hand on Chester.

"Blackburn are also still up there, and if we were to lose two matches then the league would be wide open."

At first it looked like referee Phil Cripps (London Society) would need eyes in the back of his head, and he could have sent off Reed for his punching, and Bradford and Bingley prop Richard Thomas for a high-tackle on Lymm centre Phil Millachip.

But, despite being on the wrong end of a 45-18 possession count in the first half, the Bees still scored the half's only two tries.

Flanker Mark Thomas forced his way over on the left after five minutes, and centre Matthew Inman grabbed a try in the 35th minute after the ball had been regained in a maul.

Inman then converted superbly from near the right-hand touchline, Lymm fly half Chris Elliott landing a penalty just before the interval in reply.

Elliott's second penalty early in the second half caused a few flutters among the visiting supporters, which were eased slightly when Inman landed a 58th-minute replay.

And Bradford and Bingley were able to relax once Watts had snaffled his try in the 71st minute, following a fine line-out take by lock Matt Hague.

And, although Inman missed that conversion and a 78th-minute penalty that was carried away on a strengthening wind, Asa Firth's interception try close to the final whistle merely emphasised a job well done.

With Lymm fully committed to attack, the right winger caught a ricochet and ran from near his own 22 to the home line.

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