Keynsham home match report

Lydney got promotion back on track against a side just two places below them racking up a huge win writes Roger Pike. Lydney had some enforced changes so Harrison Fowke started at hooker with James Pugh and Jack Spencer making up the front row, Mike Massey and Jimmy Waters were back in the power house with a back row of Scriven, Hudson and Watling. Out in the backs Joe McClean returned to centre with Henry Sleeman moving to the wing position; Tom Broady came in at Full Back. A strong bench of John Barker, Rob White and Jack O’Connell was sure to be needed. Following a run of three defeats it was critical Lydney got back on track to maintain their promotion credentials. A tight game was predicated but a solid all round performance saw them prove too strong for a quick, mobile Keynsham outfit in an entertaining and high scoring game

With the opening encounters being relatively on seven minutes the Severnsiders got their first attack where a scrum on the 22 meter saw Riley Scriven pick up from the base and crash through the defence to score. Tony Wicks added the extras on a blustery afternoon for kickers at 7 – 0. The visitors responded looking to move the ball quickly using their speedy backs on every occasion. Solid defence from the hosts kept them out and they were soon back on the attack with a line out deep in the visitors half. With the ball won the Lydney pack rumbled forward and prop Jack Spencer powered through to cross for his first ever Lydney try 12 – 0. With the hosts immediately back on the attack Deere kicks to clear the visitors lines but the quick thinking Olly Locke charged it down picking up to score near the posts, Wicks added the extras for 19 – 0. Keynsham respond with a series of good attacks but solid Lydney defence keeps them at bay with some big hits. More pressure finally saw a score with a forward drive and full back Ciaran Chester scored, Deere added the conversion for 19 -7. The hosts immediately respond, some good moves across the backs ended with a 5m line out, a catch and drive enabled Rob White to crash over, the conversion added and the lead extended to 26 – 7. The hosts remained dominate and the best try of the game followed when Joe McClean beat the line off-loading to Locke who broke through, when tackled he passed to winger Henry Sleeman who proved far too strong for the opposition and touched down out wide, Wicks added the extras for 33 – 7. The away sides spirt remained high and they scored again tapping a penalty kick and centre Jim Miller ran in unopposed for 33 – 12 at half time.

Keynsham were soon on the defence in the second half, another Deere kick was charged down this time by the excellent Henry Sleeman who collected the ball powering on but brought down just short, a deft offload saw James Pugh on hand to score; the conversion added the hosts were on 40 points with just 2 minutes gone. The hosts continued to apply the pressure, a quick tap penalty from Sam Arnott eventually found Henry Sleeman who was having a superb game, proving far too strong for the opposition tacklers to extend the lead to 45 – 12. More Lydney pressure saw another score when the official had no option but to award a penalty try from a scrum driven over the visitors line and the hosts passed the half century at 52 – 12. Despite the score line the visitors never gave up and Etheridge crossed to get another try. The visitors scored again when winger Matt Carr beat the defence for 52 – 22. With five minutes left Keynsham got a yellow card when Clifton made a deliberate knock on with a certain Lydney try beckoning, despite Lydney throwing the ball around they could not beat the 14 players and the game ended without further score,

Director of Rugby Chris Green commented ‘really delighted everything we planned today was executed and we ran out deserved winners. The energy was there, great attitude made for a good all round performance. They are a good side as their league position shows so to win in this fashion is very pleasing. We are back on track to the standards we expect ready for our remaining fixtures starting away at Wellington in two weeks’ time.’