‘Lydney start with thriller draw.’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 23 Marlborough 23
Lydney started their 24/25 campaign with three of their first four fixtures being at Regentsholme, so a good start was imperative to any promotion challenge writes Roger Pike. First up were Marlborough who moved across from the southeast premier. Boasting a huge pack and an exciting backline would provide a stern test and so it proved in a tight game. The Severnsiders had several new signings with Gerard McGurk and Sam Harrison starting plus Garrett Myers and Tom Rowe as replacements.
Playing down the slope Lydney started the better and dominated the opening encounters with winger Henry Sleeman making good field position. Despite some good attacks the visitors defence held firm, finally conceding a penalty on the 22m line which Brad Barnes kicked for 3 – 0 after nine minutes. The hosts continued to dominate with some impressive play from captain Ben Large and Kyle Frowen kept them around the visitors 22m area. Lydney then won a line out penalty, a quick tap followed to see Large make huge yardage into the visitors 22m area finding Tom Broady who beat the last defender to score, with the conversion hitting the post the lead extended to 8 – 0. Marlborough finally got some attacks going before halftime when the hosts dropped the tempo of the game. The visitors were kicking a lot of their possession but kept the hosts under pressure. From a 5m scrum they move the ball wide for Akaliea Servuatu to score in the corner following some poor Lydney defence. Will Grant added the extras, and they were back in the game 8 – 7. The visitors were unlucky not to score again when only a foot in touch disallowed another score. With the hosts lineout struggling to function the visitors had plenty of possession and another break by the backs saw Conner Hill score near the posts, with the conversion added by Grant they had the halftime lead 8 – 14.
The hosts were out of the blocks after the halftime team talk and a good break by Sam Harrison who caused the visitors issues all afternoon gave them good field position, despite some good breaks from Large, Conal Mills and Rielly Scriven the visitors defence again remained intact. On 55 minutes the Severnsiders finally managed to break the line and Sam Harrison crashed over out wide for 13 – 14. The visitors win a penalty from the kick off which was narrowly missed but a further chance sees Grant extend their lead to 13 – 17. Lydney responded with some good play with Mullis, Jayne and Hanslow in the pack, when Broady switched the ball to the blind side Alex Nelmes went clean through to score, but the official judged a foot in touch while touching down. The hosts kept the pressure on with some good forward drives from McGurk, Jayne and the outstanding Frowen, with the ball spun out Riely Scriven entered the backline to crash through under the posts. Barnes added the extras to regain the lead at 20 -17. Another Grant penalty then levels the scores at 20 -20. Back on the attack it’s the hosts who now win a penalty which Barnes kicks to regain the lead 23 – 20 with just 5 minutes left. The visitors then pile on the pressure giving the home supports an extremely nervous remaining last few minutes, crossing the line the visitors are given a held-up decision. The Severnsiders had chances to clear their lines but concede a penalty which Grant kicks and the match ends 23 -23.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘Disappointed with the result its 2 points dropped, having the lead with a few minutes left we should have managed the game out. We played well for 20 minutes with good energy levels but let them back into the game before halftime gifting them a couple of easy scores. However, there were some good individual performances, and I was well pleased with team overall, plenty to work on this week and we need to put things right against St Austell next week at Regentsholme.
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Sam Baker, Gearard McGurk, Mike Massey, Pat Hanslow, Louis Jayne, Kyle Frowen, Rielly Scriven, Tom Broady, Brad Barnes, Conal Mills, Ben Large©, Sam Harrison, Henry Sleeman, Alex Nelmes. Replacements Garrett Myers, Jack Knox, Tom Rowe.
