Lismore 43

Gala YM 17

Joe Dickson

at Inch Park

GALA YM’s topsy turvy season continued at Inch Park on Saturday in a match which included 11 yellow cards.

The home side didn't only collect eight of the yellows, but they also picked up a red card during a bad-tempered match.

But Lismore showed why they are undefeated at the top of East Division 3 as they have a big pack of forwards and a very speedy back line.

Despite YM's best efforts, the home team managed to run in seven tries.

Lismore's pack drove over for an unconverted try after only five minutes.

YM had a great breakaway towards the home line in response, but they could not burst through a sturdy defence.

Lismore broke back up field and scored an identical try to their first with the pack pushing its way over.

YM had a purple patch in the Lismore 22 midway through the half, and after a load of phases Kevin Andison dived over.

The conversion rebounded off the post.

A huge spate of penalties against Lismore went unpunished and they broke through for a third try for a 17-5 interval lead.

YM started the second half by pinning Lismore on their own line but they couldn't get through.

A speculative high kick to the corner bounced away from YM players and into the hands of the fastest home player, who ran the length of the field to score the bonus point try.

Before YM could gather themselves, Lismore had broken away to score a fifth try.

Both teams were down to 13 men for a spell as the referee began to punish the continuous foul play.

For the last 20 minutes Lismore players were going off and on like yo-yos until a red card was also produced.

YM took advantage of the extra man with Andison diving over under the bar, and Scott Chapman adding the extras

Lismore reacted quickly with a sixth try which was converted.

Play shifted to the other end as Andison wriggled over for his hat trick of tries

Time was nearly up so YM turned down the conversion to go for the bonus point try.

But they lost possession and Lismore broke away for an unconverted try as the whistle went.

YM's man of the match award went to Neale Lees.

This week YM are at Home against Edinburgh University Medics.