‘Another Regentsholme win for Lydney’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 34 Weston 19
Although at the wrong end of the table Weston boasting a big pack and fighting to stay in the division were sure to make life difficult for the Severnsiders who are unbeaten at home this season writes Roger Pike. With a busy month ahead Lydney needed to ensure no complacency and put in a performance to start their 2024 campaign in style and so it proved with the hosts running out deserved winners with a more workman like performance than impressive. With the injury situation marginally improving the hosts made a few changes, Brad Dunn returned on the bench with Mike Cross starting on the wing, Kiran Griffiths moved into the 10 shirt and new signing Sam Baker started on the bench.
It was the visitors who made much the better start with Lydney unable to get the ball in the opening encounters. Weston continued to press with several attacks in the 22m area, a good move in the backline saw George Nuttycombe cut through to open the scoring 0 – 5 after just 4 minutes. Lydney responded immediately from the kick off and were soon in the visitor’s half winning a penalty. A great kick from Tom Broady to the 5m line saw the resulting catch and drive which is becoming a trademark Lydney move end with hooker Dan Cooper crossing, Broady converted, and the hosts had the lead 7 – 5. The Severnsiders spun the ball around playing down the slope and soon won another penalty on the 22m line, Broady opted to kick to extend the lead 10 – 5. The hosts then suffered a significant injury to captain Ben Large resulting in winger Brad Dunn coming on to play in the centre who went on to have an impressive game. Lydney continued to dominate possession and field position, spinning the ball around, prop Rowan Mullis made a good run and put a deft kick through the defensive line for Brad Dunn to pick up and run in unopposed. With Broady converting the hosts moved on to 17 -5 after half an hour. The visitors did try and respond but never looked like threating the hosts solid defence and the half ended.
Weston started strongly in the opening encounters but continued playing a negative game trying to disrupt and spoil any Lydney possession giving away numerous penalties. The Official had no option following several penalties to issue a yellow card, Sam Coles went after another infringement. The hosts took full advantage of the extra man when from a scrum close to the line Riley Scriven picked up and crashed over to extend the lead to 22 -5. With injuries continuing the Severnsiders were forced to empty the bench with Bayliss and new signing Sam Baker entering both having impressive games. Lydney continued with relentless attacks and surely should already have scored more tries given the amount of possession. Finally, a good move in the backs saw winger Conal Mill beat a couple of defenders with shear pace and crossed close in, Broady converted for 29 -5. A combination of Lydney complacency and the visitors raising their game finally saw them score when they get a scrum going on the 5m line and Jay Davis their best player on the day scored under the posts which Nuttycombe converted 34 -12. Weston now chasing a bonus point were soon back in the Lydney 22m area and putting the hosts under major pressure, some great tackles from the impressive Frowen, Nelmes and Hamlin kept them scoreless. Unfortunately spinning the ball around to get another score saw a loose pass intercepted by Mike Cross who ran the length of the pitch to score 34 -12. The visitors did not give up and were soon back in the Lydney 22m area finally winning a penalty 5m out, a quick tap by Dan Lomax caught the hosts defence napping and scored close in, Nuttycombe added the extras and the game ended 34 -19.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘Very pleased with another 5 points but disappointed with the actual performance. They came with a negative approach to disrupt and spoil which we did not really manage, we created many chances leaving numerous easy scores out there. On a positive side we had three key players injured with Large, Williams and Broady all forced off, but the replacements slotted in to maintain our dominance. We were a bit complacent at the end gifting them a couple of scores which we certainly need to eliminate for next week with a big derby game away at Matson.’
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Daniel Cooper, Gareth Winter, Lewis Locke, Zak Williams, Luke Hudson, Kyle Frowen, Riley Scriven, Tom Broady, Kiran Griffiths, Conal Mills, Joe Hamlin, Ben Large (C), Mike Cross, Alex Nelmes. Replacements James Bayliss, Sam Baker, Brad Dunn
Update on LRFC Captain Ben Large
To update on the serious injury that forced Ben from the match today, unfortunately it has been confirmed he has broken his jaw in two places. It looks like he will be in hospital overnight with an operation hopefully tomorrow. Ben the Club captain has provided some superb performances in the centre this season and a real motivator for the team, he will be sorely missed while he recovers.
Everyone at Lydney RFC offers their sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery and hope to see him back at the Club soon.
Update by Roger Pike
Photos below by Robert Hackman
