Huddersfield YMCA’s hopes of ensuring survival in National III North took another knock they went down 25-13 at promotion-chasing Lymm.

While the fight is far from over – YMCA are level on points with West Yorkshire rivals Cleckheaton and only trail Brikenhead Park and Stockport by two and five points, respectively – the Laund Hill side have only six matches left to play with all their immediate rivals having played a game less.

The trip to Cheshire to face third placed Lymm looked a fairly daunting prospect for the YM after their recent run of form.

On a number of occasions they have played well but come away second best on the back of an inability to turn pressure into points, and once again that was to be to story of the day.

There was no shortage of effort and commitment but just a failure to capitalise on the hard work done.

From the start the YM threatened the Lymm line, but unfortunately spilled ball in attacking positions.

Lymm’s first foray into the YM half the home side showed how it should be done with centre Halford having acres of space to run into and, with two men in support outside him,he dummied and cut inside leaving himself a clear run to the line. Richard Macca was just adrift with the conversion attempt.

A line out saw Lymm win the ball cleanly and once again they put the ball through the hands to outflank the YM defence allowing Macca the space he needed to break clear for another Lymm score which he then converted.

It was looking like another tough day at the office for the YM but the forwards were on top of the job and were well in contention around the ruck and when driving the ball forward.

Seif and Edwards were effective in gaining ground, and YM came more into the match with some strong running by Ryder, Fletcher, Bentley and Stead in the backs.

Pressure eventually told and the YM were awarded a penalty after a Lymm player was yellow-carded for not allowing play to move 10 metres after the penalty had been awarded to the YM and Simon Wilson popped the ball over to put the YM on the scoresheet.

A second Wilson penalty after Lymm were adjudged to be high in the tackle further cut the deficit and a neat break at the back of the ruck saw Ledgard and Ryder break the defence before Stuart Morton took it on and found Sam Hodge up in support to take the final pass to score.

Wilson tagged on the extra points to give the YM a slim lead 12-13, but Lymm replied just before half-time with a penalty through Macca after the YM were caught offside, bringing the half time score to 15-13.

The second half was a well contested affair with both sides having chances to add to the score but both defences managed to hold firm and it wasn’t until the 25th minute of the half before the deadlock was broken, after Lymm were the recipients of a controversial penalty decision and Macca once again added to Lymm’s tally.

YM were awarded a penalty which they elected to kick but Wilson was adrift with the goal attempt and the chance to keep the pressure on the Lymm defence by forcing them to defend the line out was lost.

The final word went to Lymm as they capitalised on a couple of YM mistakes allowing them to gain a good position and flanker Jack Harper managed to burrow under a pile of bodies to claim a try and Macca added the conversion.

Huddersfield YMCA: Fletcher, Morton, Stead, Ryder, Bentley, Ledgard, Wilson, Moore, Emsley, Wrafter, Boussaada, Housley, Starbuck, Hodge, Edwards. Interchange; Appleby, Scholes. Pooloogadoo

RESULTS

National II North: Chester 30 Huddersfield 13

National III North: Lymm 25 YMCA 13

Yorkshire I: Yarnbury 13 Old Crossleyans 3

Yprkshire III: Halifax 10 Old Otliensians 17