Devonport Services Home Match Report

Report and Pictures by Roger Pike

With third placed Devonport coming to Lydney in forth this was always going to be a tight affair. Lydney welcomed back Harrison Fowke in the front row, a late change saw Mars Slee start in place of Riley Scriven and Finn Holden came in on the bench. The game was hampered as a spectacle with the official stopping the game on numerous occasions, awarding a large penalty count and sending 4 players to the bin stopped any fluency from either side. This also resulted in the Severnsiders having to play 30 minutes with just 14 players but seemed to galvanise the team and they ran out deserved winners.

The game was fairly even in the first quarter both sides having opportunities but the game remained scoreless. Lydney had the better of the possession with numerous attacks in the 22m area; a move across the backs saw Henry Sleeman cross to score only for the official to bring play back for a Lydney scrum. Devonport saw the first yellow card on 15 minutes for a dangerous tackle but their scrum started to dominate winning numerous penalties, from a kick to the corner Daley scored out wide and Richard Goldy West added the extras for 0 – 7. The Severnsiders could not get any real possession and any scrum saw the visitors dominate with more penalties. A break from the scrum half sees them spin the ball wide and Matt Neyle scores in the corner to extend the lead to 0 – 12. From a further penalty John Barker becomes the second yellow card however this seemed to raise the hosts work rate and they crated some good chances. Centres Henry Sleeman and Joe McClean caused Devonport huge problems all afternoon making good yards, from one break McClean beat a couple of tackles for a deft offload to Mike Cross who squeezed in at the corner. Joe Hamlin added a touchline conversion and Lydney were back in the game at 7 – 12 on half time.

The Severnsiders were out of the blocks following the half time team talk immediately regathering the kick off, with the forwards making good ground second row Ryan Stephens scored to level things up. The hosts started to dominate winning a penalty on the 22m line, outside half Joe Hamlin opted to kick and get the lead for the first time 15 – 12. Lydney continue their dominant spell now back with a full complement, the next try was a real forwards move with a pick and drive move ending when James Walter crashed over, Hamlin added the extras and Lydney were two scores clear at 22 – 12. Devonport clearly are a strong side as their league position shows and responded dominating the next 10 minutes in the Lydney half but the hosts held out only to see Joe McClean yellow carded for a dangerous tackle. Devonport continue to attack with the extra player but a try is ruled out for a foot in touch. Despite mounting pressure the Severnsiders still keep the scoreboard unchanged with excellent tackling in particular from Harrison Fowke, James Walter, John Barker in the forwards and McClean and Sleeman in the backline. With 10 minutes left Sam Arnott becomes the third Lydney payer sent to the bin, with no backs on the bench outsdie half Hamlin moves into scrum half. The crowd now in full voice the hosts rally to win a penalty which Hamlin kicks to the corner. The forwards win the resulting line out and Ryan Stephens emerges from a crowd of players driven over to score his second try and a final score of 27 – 12.

Director of Rugby Chris Green commented ‘first half was a bit disappointing we failed to score in a dominant opening quarter and then gifted them 12 points. However really pleased with the players attitude and we responded with a good second half performance. Overall delighted to beat a side above us especially having to play 30 minutes with 14 players and still ending the game with the full 5 points is impressive. Next up we have a tough away game at Keynsham but we are right in the promotion race after this result’.