Lymm joyous over away-day success

Hull Ionians…………27 Lymm……………………39

■ By BRIAN NORMAN

LYMM came away from Brantingham Park with the spoils after an entertaining clash against Hull Ionians yesterday.

The visitors were convincingly beaten here 31-19 last season, but their pace to the breakdown and speed of execution finally saw them clear in an error-strewn game with a wet ball.

The early play saw Lymm concede a staggering five penalties in nine minutes with Hull Ionians driving over through Ben Stephenson from a close range line-out. Lewis Minikin, a thorn in Lymm’s side in this fixture last campaign, adding the extras.

Lymm soon levelled with a kick through by Tom Shard evading the cover for Nathan Bea-sley to touch down.

Shard added the conversion with Minikin replying with a penalty to close the first half.

Shard, who notched a hat-trick in the reverse fixture last year, added a penalty then Stephenson drove over again in reply before Lymm’s dominance saw Paddy Jennings, Rob Makin and Beasley add further tries. James Sanderson gained a small consolation crossing for the hosts.

Next up for Lymm is a trip to Chester, while early-season bragging rights are up for grabs as Hull welcome Hull Ionians.