RL CONFERENCE - NATIONAL QUARTER FINAL

LYMM RL 28 KIPPAX KNIGHTS 26 - 23/08/09

An enthralling encounter at Widnes St Maries Brentfields ground saw Lymm RL progress to a national semi final tie in the Rugby League Conference with a two point victory over Yorkshire Champions Kippax Knights.

Lymm were able to name a consistent side, with just one change to the seventeen that won the North West Grand Final as club stalwart Richie Bancroft replaced the injured Matt Rockey on the bench, whilst Mark Fitton and Zak Lythgoe remained on the sidelines with long term injuries.

With Anthony Sullivan away, taking part in the Carnegie Challenge, Coach Ged Sonerson took charge of the team to face a very much unknown opponent.

As it was the Yorkshire men started the game on fire and raced into an early 12-0 lead. However Lymm soon sparked into life as the powerful Matt Mahoney crashed over and Pete Leonard goaled before Carl Lloyd finished in the corner and Leonard again goaled to make it all square.

Wingman Frankie Bird then spotted a gap to race through before Leonard added a penalty goal. Kippax soon scored their third try of the afternoon to leave them within two points at the interval.

Six minutes into the second-half, Dane Evans went over for a score, that was soon cancelled out by the Knights, who then hit the front for the second time in the game to lead by two points with a try from their wingman.

However it was to be Lymm's day as Leonard's cross field kick found its way into the hands of Tom Mahoney who touched down for the all important try to send the large travelling support into a frenzied celebration.

Lymm: Carl Lloyd, Frankie Bird, Dane Evans, Neil Evans, Tom Mahoney, Paul Flannery, Pete Leonard, Nat Ashurst, Tim Stuart, Mick Cadd, Mike Ward, Matt Mahoney, Pete Cannon. Subs: Dan Forster, Neil Ashurst, Richie Bancroft, Paul Bagley.

Tries: Matt Mahoney, Lloyd, Bird, Dane Evans, Tom Mahoney Goals: Leonard (4)

Photos: Tim Stuart and Dane Evans take the fight to Kippax by Paul Arnison