Anselmians 22, Lymm 12
WITH the Cheshire Cup semi-final moved to Birkenhead Park under the lights, a decent midweek crowd of around 400 were treated to a very competative game of rugby.
Saints cup run has not been the easiest with teams one or two leagues above them, Lymm currently sitting in fifth, one place above Macclesfield the previous rounds opponents in the North Premier League, would be another test.
Saints are well-known for expansive play. However, in this game it was the forwards that dominated the Lymm pack and set the platform for the game.
Dominant Saints maul. Picture: Derek Salisbury snr
A penalty on the 22 was kicked to touch and after a faultless line out Steve Brookes touched down behind the driving maul, converted by Morley.
Minutes later a penalty, just outside the Lymm 22, was kicked again by the reliable Morley 10-0 to Saints.
Just before half-time, Lymm managed to get the ball out on the right wing and score a try which was not converted.
Half-time 10-5
With the Saints scrum starting to dominate with the Salisbury brothers and Brookes, Lymm were pinned in their own half for long periods.
Dan Salisbury's faultless line-outs payed dividends with number eight Ewan Nolan, back after injury to go over again converted by Morley. 17-5.
Niall Cavanagh in action for Saints agains Lymm. Picture: Derek Salisbury snr
Lymm, however, kept up the pressure and after some slick passing their backs cut through the saints backline to score near the posts, with an easy conversion score 17-12.
With the scrum and line-out dominance making it hard for Lymm to get any ball Saints again took a line-out instead of a penalty and from 10m out it was this time Dan Salisbury who came off the back of the maul to go over the whitewash, unfortunately not converted by Morley.
Some great performances from Saints Dan Salisbury, Dai Morley and Will Grebe but Man of the Match goes to Tommy Banks absolutely solid defence throughout the game.
Final score 22-12.
Final will be against Sandbach RUFC, who currently sit fifth in the midlands Premier league, the equivalent of two leagues above Saints.
St Anselmians' post match team picture by Derek Salisbury Snr
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