A game too far for Lydney
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 15 Chew Valley 53
With two promoted sides playing each other in a top the table clash a close game was forecast but it turned out to be a game too far for the Severnsiders with their huge injury list writes Roger Pike. To even field a side the Severnsiders had to use the retired Sam Arnott for the full 80 minutes, draft in Nick Selway for the front row and hand young Mason Cunliffe a debut. Phil Cowburn came into the centre for the injured Joe McClean and scrum half Tom Broady switched to outside half for Brad Barnes. Chew fielded a very strong side and played like a settled side moving the ball quickly out wide causing the Severnsiders a torrid afternoon in defence. At this level you need a strong squad which unfortunately the Severnsiders currently do not have with their huge injury toll. Lydney were to play very much in patches but they needed to be on their game for the full 80 minutes to have any chance. Whilst this was one of Lydney’s biggest defats in a long while, they never gave up and hopefully can regroup, get some injured players back as they have another home game in two weeks’ time which will be critical to keep them in the right half of the table.
Chew came out and played like the table toppers and scored after just 3 minutes with Tom Bryan crossing and then converting his try for 0 – 7. Whilst the next period remained tight Chew looked the more dangerous moving the ball quickly out wide soon creating another try for Jo Webb which Bryan converted 0 – 14. The Severnsiders finally got an attack going and win a penalty on the 22m line which Tom Broady kicks to get them on the scoreboard at 3 -14 with 15 minutes gone. Chew respond immediately and beat the Lydney defence with a good overlap for winger Miles Moorhouse to score, again Bryan converted for 3 – 21 and looking a long afternoon for the Severnsiders. Chew regather from the kick off and it’s all too easy scoring again from Jo Webb, adding the conversion moved the score to 8 – 28. Lydneys woes continued with Tom Broady off injured and young Mason Cunliffe on for his debut at scrum half forcing Sam Arnott to now play outside half. However a good move in the backs sees Mason Cunliffe cut through and score, Joe Hamlin added the conversion for 15 – 28. Chew did win a penalty right on half time which Bryan kicked for 15 – 31 at the interval.
The Severnsiders emptied their bench with Nick Selway coming on to sure up the scum and Riley Scriven soon following. Chew had full back Tom Bryan running the show from full back with the experienced outside half Dan Gatton kept Lydney pegged back for most of the second half. A further Bryan penalty moves the score to 15 – 34, Chew were now dominating and further tries from Dean Brooker and Pete Carter moved the score on to 15 – 46. Lydney continued to battle away but did not take the few chances they created. Brad Dunn always looked dangerous and was unlucky not to score; Mason Cunliffe was another positive with a lively game on his debut. With the game in injury time sub Liam Evan crossed out wide which the impressive Bryan converted for a final score 15 – 53.
Team Manager Gareth Williams commented ‘With our huge injury list this was just a game too far and we could have done with the weeks break this weekend. We certainly have a team to compete at this level but we need to get some injured players back quickly as we have another home game in a fortnight. We will regroup and asses our options but we will need a win against Weston to keep us around the top of table positions.’
Lydney – Costner Lane, Rob White, Gareth Winter, Mike Massey, James Walter, Luke Hudson, Liam Downer, Jordan Fowke, Sam Arnott (c) Tom Broady, Henry Sleeman, Joe Hamlin, Phil Cowburn, Brad Dunn, Alex Nelmes. Replacements Nick Selway, Rielly Scriven, Mason Cunliffe
