Lydney storm to huge win

Despite Storm Arwen a bumper crowd turned out at Regentsholme to see Lydney put in a totally dominant performance despite freezing temperatures and gale force conditions. The Severnsiders had numerous absentees with the injury toll mounting so in came winger Brad Dunn, forwards Matt Price and Brad Kislingbury for their debuts and Nathen Tucker on the left wing. Despite the disruption the Severnsiders gave a superb performance in difficult conditions playing some good running rugby, spinning the ball out wide all afternoon to end up deserved winners.

The hosts started much the brighter recapturing the ball from the kick off saw Joe McClean make a break in mid-field offloading to winger Brad Dunn to cross out wide for 5 – 0 after just two minutes. The game remained even with Lydney creating the better chances. Following a couple of penalties Lydney spun the ball across the backs for centre Henry Sleeman crashing through to score, Joe Hamlin added the extras for 12 – 0. Lydney immediately back on the attack scored again when Joe McClean again cut through the defence to go in under the posts, Hamlin kicked the conversion for 19 – 0 after just 20 minutes. Wellington then had a spell of pressure but solid Lydney defence saw them drop the ball which was regathered to find Brad Dunn to run the length of the pitch for 26 – 0. The visitors still kept trying to play and won a few penalties close on the Lydney line finally scoring when George Hodgson crossed, Alex Davey added the conversion 26 – 7. Lydney then kicked a penalty from Hamlin to give a halftime score of 29 – 7.

Despite now playing up the slope against the gale force wind the second half was a continuation with the Lydney pack dominating the opposition at the set piece, good driving runs from loose forwards Riley Scriven, Jordan Fowke and hooker Ashley Howells were always making good ground. The hosts continued to spin the ball around causing Wellington to put in a big defensive effort, from one breakdown a clever kick from Sam Arnott towards the corner touchline got a wicked bounce which fell to Dunn to get his hat trick of tries, the conversion added increased the lead to 36 – 7. The visitors still kept playing and Hodgeson crossed again for 36 – 14. With the hosts tapping any penalties and spinning the ball around created space for Nathan Tucker to score in the corner for 41 – 14. With 10 minutes left the hosts did not ease up an, back on the attack saw Joe McClean get his second try and increase the score to 48 – 14. In the backs Sleeman, Nelmes and McClean were outstanding in attack and defence causing Wellington problems all afternoon. Wellington got a consolation score on fulltime to end the game 48 – 19.

Director of Rugby Chris Green ‘really delighted, it was a good performance in difficult conditions especially with the number of players missing. Our defence has been good all season so I challenged the players to show the same effort in attack and we scored some great tries. Really pleased with the players coming in Matt Price and Brad Kislingbury had good games in the pack and also winger Brad Dunn with three tries was excellent. We will have a much sterner test next week in a local derby at home to Newent’