‘Battling Lydney lose at Brixham.’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Brixham 45 Lydney 20
Lydney made the long trip down to play Brixham who would provide a stern test as still challenging for the promotion positions. The Severnsiders currently seventh in the table would certainly be promotion candidates themselves with some results on the road writes Roger Pike. With just one away win all season this final fixture away from Regentsholme was another nemesis with Lydney battling hard for just a losing bonus point. Lydney with limited options for selection with injuries continuing made a few changes with Jack Knox starting at Hooker, Henry Sleeman returning in the centre and Matt Williams making his debut from the United side on the wing, Alex Nelmes captained the side from full back. With limited backline options Sam Arnott and his coaching team again decided to select three forwards on the bench. The game proved to be a very stop start affair not helped by the Official who awarded numerous penalties all afternoon and issued close to double figures in cards which resulted in both sides playing over half the game a player short. That said, the game was certainly entertaining for the large crowd with both sides running the ball looking to play an expansive game and scoring plenty of well worked tries.
The Fishermen were out of the blocks and were camped in the Lydney half during the opening period, winning a penalty they kicked to the corner, although the visitors defence held out from another penalty a quick tap saw Jamie Hext score, Joel Ashworth added the extras for 7 – 0 after just 3 minutes. Lydney continued to give away penalties and the hosts scored again through Marsden Criddle, with the conversion added for 14 – 0. After just 10 minutes the first yellow appeared for a Gareth Winter high tackle, the hosts took full advantage Criddle scoring again converted by Ashworthy for 21 – 0. The next card fell to Brixham and this time the Severnsiders took advantage of the numbers when Jack Knox scored after some good forward play 21 – 5. From the kick off the hosts attack win a penalty, opting to kick Ashworthy extended the lead to 24 – 5. Back came Lydney who continued to press, further good forward play saw Pat Hanslow touch down only for the Official to award a knock on over the line. On their next attack the game was stopped for a serious leg injury to Jack Knox, so replacement hooker Sam Baker joined. Brixham had another spell of possession and Ashworthy cut through the Lydney back line to score under the posts, adding the extras for 31 – 5. Both sides had further chances to score coming up to the break, but the defences held solid for the score to remain unchanged.
The second half started with another yellow this time to Rowan Mullis, again the hosts took advantage of the extra man and winger Matt Crosscombe scored, Ashworthy slotted the extras 38 – 5. Cards were now being issued to both sides and with Mason Cunliffe the next Lydney were down to 13. With Alex Nelmes playing at scrum half the visitors did well to hold out but eventually the numbers told when Crosscombe scored, the conversion added 45 – 5. Lydney did not give up, winning a penalty, a kick to the corner saw a catch and drive move with Sam Baker touching down 45 – 10. Lydney started to dominate, another good backs move saw Brad Dunn tackled just short however from a scuffle in the tackle the official gave Brixham a yellow and decided to red card Dunn. With both sides now having 14 again more space appeared and a surging run from Dan Cooper was halted short, but the alert Mason Cunliffe picked up to touch down 45 – 15. The Severnsiders were now chasing that losing bonus point and dominated the closing minutes, a good run from Riely Scriven was spun out to Pat Hanslow to score and end the game 45 – 20.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘Disappointing the penalties and card early on killed us, you cannot ship three tries in the opening quarter against a top side. Not a display I have witnessed for a long while and the game was gone at halftime. However, we set a target at halftime to get a bonus point so at least we achieved something from the afternoon. We will learn our lessons as we move on to another tough game with Chew Valley at Regentsholme in two weeks’ time.
Lydney: Gareth Winter, Jack Knox, Daniel Cooper, Louis Jayne, Pat Hanslow, Luke Hudson, Kyle Frowen, Riely Scriven, Mason Cunliffe, Kieran Griffiths, Conal Mills, Henry Sleeman, Brad Dunn, Matt Williams, Alex Nelmes ©. Replacements Rowan Mullis, Sam Baker, Lewis Locke.
