‘Fortress Regentsholme for superb Lydney’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 38 Launceston 15
Launceston a top three side in the table would provide a tough test for the Severnsiders who try to maintain their unbeaten home record this season writes Roger Pike. A quality game entertained a huge Christmas crowd with the hosts running out deserved winners with a dominant performance. It was critical for the Severnsiders confidence they got their first win against a top three side. The visitors just could not match a superb display by all 18 Lydney players who managed much of the game in the opposition half backed up with a solid defence performance. With the injury situation the hosts made several changes, the injured Brad Dunn was replaced by Mike Cross, Joe Hamlin came back to start at centre, Riley Scriven was in the back row and Harrison Fowke started on the bench after a long injury lay off.
Lydney showed a good reaction from last week’s performance and dominated from the kick off, a good break from Ben Large off loaded to winger Conal Mills who was tackled deep in the 22m area, the ball quickly spun back across for winger Mike Cross to score for 5 – 0 after just seven minutes. The Cornish ‘All Blacks’ soon responded and won a penalty on the 22m line, Dan Pearce opted to kick and reduce the deficit to 5 – 3. The game remained even but Lydney were dominating the territory thanks to some good tactical kicking from Brad Barnes keeping the visitors penned in their own half. From a 5m line out a catch and drive saw the impressive Karl Frowen score for 10 -3. The Lydney scrum started to come under pressure and several penalties saw the visitors able clear their lines on numerous occasions. Back on the attack moving the ball quickly the Severnsiders developed another forward drive ending with hooker Dan Cooper crossing the whitewash. Brad Barnes converted out wide to extend the lead to 17 -3. The visitors did respond with a couple of attacks, but solid Lydney defence won a turnover ending when a Zak Williams break from his own half was stopped just short and the visitors escaped. Launceston created a good handling move into the Lydney half but a solid tackle from Alex Nelmes halted the attack and the half ended 17 -3.
Launceston a quality side were out of the blocks in the second half, their dominate scrum resulted in Gareth Winter sent to the bin and the hosts under pressure for the first time. Taking full advantage of the 14 players the visitors spun the ball out wide for Ben Bryant to score, Pearce converted for 17 -10 and game on. Lydney hit back immediately with some good pick up and drive play through Cooper, Frowen and Locke to end with a penalty. Barnes took a quick tap catching the visitors defence napping and scored unopposed, converting his try the score extended to 24 – 10. Lydney emptied their bench bringing on Griffiths and Harrison Fowke who was very impressive following his long layoff. Launceston responded again but solid Lydney defence held them out Frowen winning another turnover. The ball recycled saw a quick break from Barnes and Alex Nelmes passing a deft off load to Zak Wiliams who again went clean through only to be tackled on the 5 m line, Dan Cooper however was on hand to pick up and cross for his second try, with Barnes adding the extras the hosts were 31 -10. The try of the game soon followed, a great break from Barnes again found that man Williams who made huge yardage surely deserving a try but was tackled meters short, this time Tom Broady was on hand to collect the pass and score. Barnes again converted and Lydney moved on to an impressive 38 – 10. The hosts did get a consolation try through Lloyd Duke and the game ended 38 -15.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘We saw a great reaction from the players today after last week’s game, a superb performance with high energy and we were clinical in the scoring zone. They had a good scrum which we managed well, our attack was exceptional today moving them around and dominating field position running out deserved winners. We have great supporters both home and away which makes a real difference to the team. On behalf of the Players, Coaches and Management we would like to wish all our supporters a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, we resume back at Regentsholme on 06thJanuary when Weston are the visitors.’
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Daniel Cooper, James Bayliss, Lewis Locke, Zak Williams, Luke Hudson, Kyle Frowen, Riley Scriven, Tom Broady, Brad Barnes, Conal Mills, Joe Hamlin, Ben Large (C), Alex Nelmes. Replacements Harrison Fowke, Gareth Winter, Kiran Griffiths
Man of the match | Reilly Scriven
Thanks go to Tracy Williams & Julie Curtis well done ladies 
Your support really is appreciated 
