ADAM Fletcher has highlighted an area of concern that could blight Lymm’s first season in National League 2 North if not corrected.

Lymm’s director of rugby spoke after seeing his side fall to a 41-26 home loss to Sheffield, coming a week after a narrow win at Fylde.

“We need to improve our discipline,” he said.

“I mentioned after the Fylde game how our poor discipline nearly cost us the game. This week it did cost us the game.”

This was a game that in the first half swung both ways and the second half started with Lymm on top.

Lymm’s defence in open play was excellent, with the players’ commitment unquestionable.

However, the indiscipline cost Lymm the game as it allowed the Sheffield side to kick to the corner and unleash their well drilled rolling maul from their dominant lineout.

Lymm should trust their defence in open play as lineout drives are difficult to stop when executed correctly.

Fletcher said: “At 19-12 up we needed to show maturity and really back our processes. Unfortunately, we gave away so many penalties and Sheffield took advantage of this.

“We need to learn quickly how to manage a three-man officials team if we are going to climb up the table.”

Jack Stride made his first start, replacing the unavailable Steve Pilkington in the centre, while Max Caldwell made his debut on the bench and Joe Johnson returned after a long lay-off due to injury.

But things were looking ominous as Sheffield cross for two early tries, one converted, while they had another score disallowed.

Gradually Lymm started to find some momentum and Tom Shard landed four penalties for 12-12 at the interval.

Two minutes into the second half Matty Hand released Rhys Lilly 15 metres out and he rounded the full-back to score, giving Shard a simple conversion.

Sheffield changed their fly-half and game plan, they started playing through the forwards and Lymm’s indiscipline came to the fore.

Unlike the first half, Sheffield executed the catch and drive to perfection scoring four tries, two of which were converted, with hooker Rhodri Campbell completing a hat-trick in the process.

Lymm didn’t touch the ball for 30 minutes as Sheffield monopolised possession and territory through controlled play and kicking.

Sheffield scored again with five minutes to go through a try in the corner created by a driving maul, presenting Christian Hooper with his hattrick.

In the last five minutes Lymm did get some possession and were able to show what they could do, scoring an excellent try in the corner through Max Caldwell which Shard expertly converted but it was too little, too late.

Lymm: Gav Woods, James Pitcher, Matty Hand, James Yates, Rhys Lilly, Sean Callender, Harry Martin, Josh Hadland, Callum Morris, Tom Shard, Paddy Jennings, Jack Stride, James Kimber, Andy Williams, Jack Reynolds. Replacements: Joe Higgins, James Sherlock, Alex Stewart, Joe Johnson, Max Caldwell.

Lymm’s next fixture is at Otley on Saturday.