Lydney demolish Bridgwater & Albion

The Severnsiders did a demolition job on Bridgewater racking up over 50 points and extending their winning run to eight writes Roger Pike. Lydney have a strong squad now even without Scottish international Joe McClean, Olle Locke, Jordan Fowke and Ashley Howells from last week’s win the incoming players of Rob White, Mike Cross and Joe Hamlin performed admirably and they look solid in all positions. Although perhaps a one sided game in score it proved very entertaining with both sides throwing the ball around and trying to run on all occasions.

The Severnsiders were out of the blocks fast and scored after just two minutes, a move started in midfield saw outside half Tony Wicks spin the ball out to get the backs going and winger Mike Cross outpaced the defence to opening the scoring for 5 – 0. Bridgwater then had 10 minutes of possession but made little inroad into the Lydney half against a solid and well organised defence. Back on the attack Lydney were soon in the visitors half and won a penalty, Wicks took it quickly and a good passing move saw the impressive prop Harrison Fowke cross the whitewash. Wicks added the extras to extend the lead 12 – 0 and it was starting to look ominous for the visitors. The hosts attack immediately regathering the restart, Mike Cross breaks clear off-loading to centre Henry Sleeman who proved too strong for the defence scoring close in, the conversion was added for 19 – 0 .

With 20 minutes gone its now all Lydney on the attack, a 5m line out resulted in back rower Riley Scriven crashing through and extend the lead to 26 – 0. Lydney already rotating the bench brought on Captain James Pugh and John Barker who was back from injury. A couple of wasted chances and dropped passes by the Severnsiders saw the score remain unchanged at half time.

Lydney started the second half strongly running the ball at every occasion, a move with forwards and backs saw hooker Rob White tackled just short, a resulting penalty saw a few forward drives before Brad Kislingbury burst through the defence and score unopposed , Wicks again added the conversion in difficult conditions with a strong wind for 33 – 0. From a lineout in midfield the superb Mike Massey stole another lineout on the visitors throw to set up another good attack but another try went begging with a dropped pass. However it was not long before another attack saw winger Mike Cross outpace the defence for his second try of the afternoon. The hosts were dominating and should have scored more tries but a few dropped balls and forward passes kept the score unchanged. Eventually another score came when Kislingbury crossed for his second, Wicks added the extras again and the score moved on to 45 – 0. To be fair the visitors never gave up and managed a consolation score when John Hill finally got through the hosts defence. This only spurred on the Severnsiders with a strong forward move saw Rob White break through but tackled agonisingly just short, however his offload bounced off a Bridgewater player straight into the welcoming hands of Wicks who touched down under the posts. Converting his own try the hosts passed 50 to move onto 52 – 5 with 10 minutes still left. Lydney continued to batter away with big John Barker braking through only to be tackled close to the line. Trying to perhaps force the play the Severnsiders let further scoring opportunities slip away and the score remained unchanged to end the match 52 – 5.

Head Coach Dave Emery commented ‘delighted with another win, the work from the training field finally came to our match day plan and we scored some good tries by keeping the ball alive. Pleased with another solid defensive platform and we manged the game well. Unfortunately we wasted a number of scoring opportunities which did not prove decisive today but we need to work on this as will be critical when we face the sides around us in the coming weeks. Next week we are at Regentsholme again playing an inform Sidmouth so need to be on our game to keep the impressive run going ’.