‘Lydney win with last kick.’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Launceston 17 Lydney 20
Back in Cornwall Lydney faced a tough challenge against the Cornish All Blacks, the Polson Bridge ground is usually a home fortress writes Roger Pike. Lydney fielded a strong squad, Brad Dunn and Tom Broady were back from holiday, but Charlie Beddis was missing due to illness, Rowan Mullis made his 50th start for the Bledisloe Club. The game provided huge excitement with the hosts leading 17 – 0 at halftime but Lydney clawed themselves back into the game with 20 unanswered points, a penalty deep into injury time saw a Ricky Alley kick win the game.
Lydney started the stronger, but the hosts soon had the upper hand and were camped in the visitor’s half. From a penalty the hosts took a quick tap to catch out the defence, Ben Hancock went clean through to score, the conversion was added from James Tucker 7 – 0. Lydney then lost Jake Powels to injury and Tom Broady came on. The hosts continued to dominate against a sluggish Lydney and only a knock on stopped another score. Lydney did create a good chance but the pass to Brad Dunn was adjudged forward. The hosts were soon back on the attack with the ball spun out wide Ben Bryant scored, again the conversion added 14 – 0. With twenty minutes gone Lydney cannot create anything with numerous knock on’s or loss at the breakdown stopping any continuity. The visitors did look to have the edge at scrum time but a lost lineout on the 5m line saw another scoring opportunity lost. On halftime the hosts won a penalty and opted to kick to extend the lead 17 – 0. There was still time for another Lydney attack, but another opportunity was wasted with a knock on to end the half.
It was clear to get anything from the game Lydney had to score first in the second half. The hosts kicked off but conceded a penalty which Alley kicked to the 22m line. With a Cuthbert catch the Lydney forwards drove the ball over the line and Cuthbert who went on to have a superb game touched down, Aley added the conversion 17 – 7. The game then remained even however Lydney started to dominate the scrum but still did not look like scoring. Sam Arnott started to rotate the bench with Harvey Heaven on who added some pace to secure the breakdown area. Lydney then had Danny Hodge sent to the bin but manged out a difficult 10 minutes with the 14 players. There were some good performances with Kyle Frowen again immense, Selway, Hanslow, Mullis and Bonia were all going well in the pack. Lydney were now having the best of the game, a good attack from the illusive Dunn created huge meters with Henry Sleeman tackled on the 22m, the official signalled penalty advantage and Alley kicked out wide for Pat Hanslow to catch and cross in the corner, Alley converted and game on at 17 – 14. The hosts emptied their bench but made negligible impact with Lydney now in command, another penalty won on the 10m line saw Alley kick from long range to tie the scores with just a few minutes left. Into injury time and both sets of supporters were on their nerves, a good break from replacement Jack Knox got the visitors back into the hosts half, a good charge from the excellent Ben Large and Cuthbert followed and the hosts defence could not cope and conceded another penalty. Large signalled the goal kick and the cool Aley with the last kick of the match slotted the three points to end the game 17 – 20.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘To get two away wins in Cornwall is exceptional, to win being 17 points down at the break shows the real character of the side who never give up. We made things harder than they needed to be, often forcing the play and were inaccurate in the red zone where we had numerous chances not executed but the sheer spirit in this group got us over the line. Next week we are back at Regentsholme to face Marlborough where we need another win to keep us in the title race.’
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Nick Selway, James Bonia, Danny Hodge, Jack Cuthbert, Luke Hudson, Kyle Frowen, Pat Hanslow, Jake Powels, Rickie Aley, Henry Sleeman, Ben Large©, Danny Price, Brad Dunn Alex Nelmes. Replacements, Jack Knox, Harvey Heaven, Tom Broady.
