Hampshire Counties 4A rugby: Lymington Mariners bounce back with brutal precision

Hampshire Counties 4A

Lymington Mariners RFC 103

Chineham RFC 0

FOLLOWING last week’s first defeat in two years, Lymington Mariners spectacularly got their season back on track, scoring 103 points against Chineham at home.

Despite the emphatic scoreline, it took 17 minutes for the first points to be registered – and it was worth the wait. Rusty Lakey finally broke the deadlock with a barnstorming run from 30 metres out, breaking four tackles before crossing the line.

Despite a valiant defensive effort by Chineham, the rest of the half was one-way traffic as the Mariners ran in a further five converted tries, with the score sitting at 42-0 at the whistle.

Chineham’s hopes of providing a sterner test in the second half were crushed within two minutes of the restart when Lymington grabbed their seventh try, again converted by captain Alex Clegg.

As the visitor’s legs tired, the Mariners became even more clinical in their hunt for points.

By the final whistle, they had run in a further eight tries, seven of them converted, crossing the hundred-point mark, with the final result 103-0.

Every player stood out with so many try scorers, an impervious defensive team effort, and an almost-perfect performance from the kicking tee.

However, it would be remiss not to mention debutant Jack Storey, who came on to put in a sterling effort in the second row, and Sam Ryan, who scored his first tries for the club, showing sublime pace and finishing from the wing to collect a brace.

Lymington will no doubt come up against stiffer tests during the season, but this was precisely the return to form the club desired after last week’s loss.

Lymington Mariners’ next game is at home against table-topping Gosport & Fareham seconds next Saturday at 2.30pm.