Lymm 27 - Middlesborough 26
Sep
Lymm, promoted from North One West, made their intentions clear but were helped by a hesitant performance from Middlesbrough, who scored their only two tries in the last 20 minutes.
In contrast, Lymm were quick off the mark, going ahead after just three minutes when flanker Dan Malarkey crashed over for a try converted by Jack Johnstone.
Simon O'Farrell, the Middlesbrough fly-half, kicked first a penalty and then a drop goal to put the visitors to within a point after 17 minutes, but Lymm soon went clear again when Johnstone converted a try by their full-back Joe Knowles.
A penalty from Johnstone was matched two minutes later by O'Farrell, but on the stroke of half time Johnstone slotted over another to put the hosts 20-9 ahead at the break.
They increased their lead 10 minutes into the second half when centre Dave Williamson touched down for a try which Johnstone converted, and it was only then that Middlesbrough started to play the sort of rugby which could have won the game.
After O'Farrell had pulled back another penalty he was on target with the conversion when scrum-half Peter Wright crashed over for the visitors' first try on 62 minutes, and five minutes later full-back Callum Campbell ran in another try and O'Farrell again added the points.
With seven minutes left on the clock Middlesbrough continued to press but were denied the winning points, returning home with just a bonus point to show from their opening league match.
