‘Lydney win with Dunn Masterclass’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 38 Oakhampton 19
Oakhampton deep in the relegation battle were desperate for points to take back to Devon and would provide a stern test having already beaten the Severnsiders earlier in the season writes Roger Pike. Lydney forced into numerous changes as the injury situation deepened was a real credit to Sam Arnott and his team they could still field a competitive side. In the pack new signing from Hucclecote Pat Hanslow came straight into the second row and Riely Scriven returned to the back row. Youngsters Mason Cunliffe and Drew Roberts formed a new half back pairing, winger Brad Dunn moved into the centre and Josh Hannam returned to fill the vacant wing position; Zak Williams captained the side. The match itself saw some superb tries from the Severnsiders entertaining a large crowd, the game was won by a superb first half display and the hosts ran out deserved winners. Whilst a superb team performance Brad Dunn gave a masterclass performance scoring three tries and a solid defence display. In the pack Frowen, Cooper, Hudson, Fowke and new signing Pat Hanslow were all outstanding.
Playing down the slope Lydney dominated the opening encounters, but a few errors cost them a score in the opening quarter. Finally, the hosts had a good series of possession ending on the 5m line, some good forward drives eventually saw Dan Cooper crash over, with Drew Roberts adding the extras the hosts were 7 – 0 after 30 minutes. The visitors responded immediately but a dropped ball in the 22m area saw Lydney run the ball back, Kyle Frowen made huge yards offloading to Dunn and Cross they were soon deep in the Oakhampton half, still moving the ball around found Dunn who beat the remaining defender to run in under the posts. Drew Roberts added the extras and the hosts moved onto 14 – 0. Lydney were immediately back on the attack with another good break from the impressive Frowen tackled just short, but the alert Mason Cunliffe pick up the loose ball to touch down, Roberts again added the extras for 21 – 0 after 35 minutes. The new halfback partnership of Cunliffe and Roberts were really starting to run the game and the hosts were back on the attack from the kick off. The forwards started a good move with Gareth Winter making progress offloading to the hard running Harrison Fowke moving into the visitors half, the backs then spun the ball to winger Mike Cross who was deep in the 22m, when tackled offloaded to Dunn for his second try, Roberts converted from out wide for 28 – 0. The visitors did respond and scored on halftime from Matt Coles which converted by Luke Simmons gave them a chance at 28 – 7.
Oakhampton upped their game in the second period desperate to get something form the game, when Luke Hudson got a yellow card, they made the extra man count and drove over from the resulting penalty from Jack Rutley, Simmons converted for game on at 28 – 14. With Cunliffe and Roberts controlling things the hosts did not panic and were soon back on the attack, Rohan Mullis started a good forward drive passing to Fowke who hit the line at pace was stopped on the 22m line, with a recycled ball Nelmes made the extra man offloading to Dunn to score out wide for 33 – 14. The hosts were dominant again now with Dunn and Harrison Fowke making huge yards on numerous occasions. Another attack saw a deft kick from Roberts out wide for winger Josh Hannam to catch, beating the last defender he scored out wide 38 – 14. The visitors never gave up chasing a bonus point and Matt Coles got them a deserved try for 38 – 19 but Lydney were just too good now and managed out the remaining minutes for the five points.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘Really pleased we were exceptional in the 1st half, we ground them down and scored some quality tries. Pleased with our young halfbacks in their first game together at this level who really controlled the game throughout. There were some exceptional individual performances out there today but all 18 played well. We knew they would respond in the second half, but our game management was good however we did give away far too many penalties that allowed them a couple of scores, for sure we will need to cut out these errors as a tough trip to St Austell awaits next week.’
Lydney – Gareth Winter, Sam Baker, Daniel Cooper, Pat Hanslow, Zak Williams ©, Luke Hudson, Kyle Frowen, Riely Scriven, Mason Cunliffe, Drew Roberts, Mike Cross, Kiran Griffiths, Brad Dunn, Josh Hannam, Alex Nelmes. Replacements Rowan Mullis, Jack Knox, Harrison Fowke
