THEY have had a superb season to date, but Lymm Rugby Club showed more signs they are starting to run out of steam on Saturday.
But despite a fifth defeat in their last six games, director of rugby Adam Fletcher has called on his players to remain united and remember all they have achieved up until now.
Billingham became only the second visiting side to leave Beechwood with a victory this season at the weekend, stretching clear after the break following a tight first half to enhance their hopes of avoiding relegation.
Lymm at least did not emerge from their 35-22 defeat empty-handed, with late tries from Nathan Beesley and Joe Senior allowing them to pocket a four-try bonus point after Joe Higgins and Jack Reynolds had touched down in the first half.
Fletcher’s side are not being helped by a growing injury list, with Reynolds succumbing late on to further hamper a side already missing several key players.
Their trip to Wharfedale on Saturday is the first of their four remaining games and Fletcher is backing his side to bounce back.
“Full credit to Billingham – they came with loads of energy and emotion and they executed their game plan well,” he said.
“We lacked accuracy throughout the match and at this level, if you keep coughing the ball up you will be punished.
“We just need to keep working and keep tight as a group.
“We are still third in the league and I think we all need to take stock and remember how far we have come this season.
“I'm sure we will bounce back with a performance against Wharfedale.”
Only a missed conversion separated the sides at the break as they posted two tries each, with Higgins scoring from a driving maul for the hosts before Reynolds ran onto a superb Cal Morris chip to touch down before the break.
However, Billingham’s two-point lead quickly turned into an unassailable 35-12 advantage as they piled up 21 unanswered points by capitalising on an error-strewn Lymm display.
Beesley and Senior ensured the home side did finish strongly but the game was already well and truly in the bag for the visitors.
Lymm: Joe Higgins, Rob Makin, Ben Lilly, Ben Thompson, James Yates, Rhys Lilley, George Atherton, Ethan Kermode; Cal Morris, Alfie Simpson; Paddy Jennings, Sam Wadsworth, Joe Senior, Nathan Beesley, Jack Reynolds. Subs: Dan Hunter, James Pitcher, Isaac Millachip, Josh Maskery, Tom Manaton
