Lancaster Lynx’s first match of the 2015/16 season was eagerly anticipated, after a strong end to the 2014/15 season with the victory at Roses, away at Chester in Week 2. The club’s intense pre-season had led to a lot of optimism surrounding the current season, and after a strong intake of new players at the start of the year, the good feeling increased further. Following the short journey to Chester and the usual warm-up drills, the team were ready to get the season going.
The Lynx began with a flourish, with great work from new vice-captain Sammy Griffiths leading to Paddy Boyers scoring off the next tackle, making it 6-0 to the Lynx. Moments later the Lynx again were putting pressure on the opposition try-line, with a good kick out wide and strong tackle from James ‘Nandos’ Charters leaving Chester 10 metres out. They however managed to get out of this hole and after back-to-back penalties were level.
After more erratic defending from Lancaster resulting in a penalty, Chester took the lead. The Lynx were not to be down hearted for long as the Italian stallion Giacamo Carlucci scored with his first touch of the ball in a Lynx shirt.
Minutes later with the scores locked at 12-12, Matt ‘Sid’ Tye then stepped in with a crucial try saving tackle, before Paddy Boyers completed his hat-trick, breaking the line from a scrum and scoring off his own grubber kick to leave the score 22-12 to Lancaster at half-time.
Not long after the second half started, intense pressure from the Lynx saw them awarded their first penalty of the match. New captain Sam ‘Spoon’ Hudson duly obliged and put the Lynx a further 4 points ahead, 26-12. Two more tries followed in quick succession; Dan ‘Killer’ Percival barging over to make it 32-12, before Sammy G secured his brace of tries after a simple move, 38-12.
Chester then replied with a try before Griffiths completed yet another hat-trick for a Lancaster player on the afternoon, leaving the score at 44-18. It wasn’t over there as Charters dove majestically like a swan into the corner to make it 48-18, though the trademark celebration wasn’t quite as piri piri hot as it was at Roses. Chester got a final consolation try before Boyers sealed the win with a cheeky drop goal, to leave the Lancaster Lynx with an emphatic 49-24 win away at Chester.
Let’s hope this flying start sets a precedent for the season to come.
