‘Lydney’s tough December continues.
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Brixham 35 Lydney 18
Lydney in third faced a tough encounter down in Devon against Brixham who level on points are just one place below them writes Roger Pike. Sam Arnott made a few changes due to injury, Tom Rowe started on the wing, Joe Hamlin in the centre with Wilf Doyle Finch and Harvey Heaven coming into the replacements. A heavy and windy Atsley Park pitch was always going to be a forward battle, Lydney won the forward battle, but it was the Fishermen who ended with the points. The final score did not reflect the game as Lydney were mostly within a score but a debateable decision in the second half to reverse a penalty and issue a yellow card to the visitors changed the game and the hosts took full advantage.
The Fishermen were out of the blocks, with a penalty won they kicked to the corner from the resulting line out a simple catch and drive saw Harry Rodwell score for 5 – 0 after just two minutes. Lydney did respond with a good attack from Cuthbert, drives from Selway and Bonia set up a backs move but a forward pass stopped Brad Dunn from a certain try. The visitors soon had another chance from another Cuthbert run but a knock on saw another scoring chance gone when in the red zone. The hosts soon created another chance and a missed tackle saw Matt Crossman score to extend the lead 10 – 0. The hosts then had a good spell won a penalty on the 10m line and Mitch Pinkus kicked for 13 – 0. It was critical Lydney scored next and a superb Rowan Mullis break saw him run from outside the 22m area to score out wide and the visitors were back in the game 13 – 5. The Fishermen responded from the restart but a big tackle from Zak Williams saw a Beddis turnover to set up the visitors back on attack. Beddis and Dunn combined for another good chance but a knock on ended the move. With Williams forced off with injury Harvey Heavan came on to give another excellent performance. A good attack saw Ben Large create havoc with the defence and won a penalty which Ricky Aley knocked over for 13 – 8. With the Lydney forwards now well on top especially at scrum time it looked positive for the visitors. Some good play from the experienced Hodge and the energetic Hanslow and Cuthbert created further chances but the only opportunity was from a penalty that Aley kicked but the strong wind pushed it narrowly wide and the half ended.
Lydney started strongly following the halftime team talk but it was the hosts who again took their chance with a good backs move and Joe Ashworth scored 18 – 8. From the restart a good run out of defence saw Tom Rowe make huge ground into the hosts half but another knock on stopped another scoring chance. The visitors were now wining scrum penalties on a regular basis and it still looked a win was possible. Alex Nelmes came on at fullback with Beddis filling in at outside half as Aley departed. The hosts then had a good spell but a great tackle from Heaven saw Hanslow turnover the ball and Lydney cleared their lines. The visitors then attacked winning a penalty on the 10m line which the impressive Charlie Beddis knocked over for 18 – 11 and they had every chance to get something from the game. However, the game changer followed with the hosts in the 22m area saw some foul play on Rowan Mullis who then reacted and was given a yellow card with then hosts escaping any punishment, the penalty reversed saw Pinkus kick for 21 – 11. With the hosts back on the attack the official gave another yellow card to Zak Williams and the visitors were down to 13. Taking full advantage of the numbers a defensive line out from Lydney was lost and Kai Kidd scored to extend the lead 28 – 11. The hosts dominant now created another attack but a clear knock on was not seen by the official and a chase to the line saw Beddis and Ashworth collide and the official gave a penalty try 35 – 11 and another yellow for Beddis. Lydney still dominated the scrums and following numerous penalty scrums the Official had no option but to award a penalty try 35 – 18. The visitors dominated the closing encounters but the Fishemens defence held out for the win, so a disappointing afternoon for Lydney and their supporters but a debateable decision when the visitors were within a score changed a tight game.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘Very disappointed to lose another Christmas fixture especially from a game where we had a solid set piece. We started poorly and were not good in the first half, however a good second half got us within a score when the yellow card decision changed the game. Not a good December but we will regroup and be ready to go again for our next fixture on 10th January 2026 at Regentsholme against Chew Valley. Finally, from all the Players and Coaches we wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.’
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Nick Selway, James Bonia, Danny Hodge, Jack Cuthbert, Zak Williams, Kyle Frowen, Pat Hanslow, Tom Broady, Rickie Aley, Tom Rowe, Joe Hamlin, Ben Large©, Brad Dunn, Charlie Beddis. Replacements Harvey Heavan, Wilf Doyle Finch, Alex Nelmes.
