‘Lydney Awayday Blues Continue.’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Matson 27 Lydney 14
Newly promoted Matson have found this level tough currently fighting for league survival but would surely raise their game in a local derby fixture writes Roger Pike. The Severnsiders won the home game so were looking for the double, but the side has struggled on the road and were decimated by further injuries, so it was a difficult game to call. A thrilling game entertained a large crowd with the hosts edging the points thanks to a strong display in the second half while the Severnsiders suffered further injury concerns. Lydney’s injury situation is now critical, captain Ben Large suffered a fractured jaw in the Weston game so is out for the season joining an endless list so it is a credit to Sam Arnott and his coaching team they can still field a competitive side. This week changes included Joe McClean coming out of retirement to play in the centre with Ryan Watling, Mason Cunliffe and Jake Bonsor coming in from the United team.
Lydney were out of the blocks and dominated the opening encounters remaining camped around the Matson 22m area. Opting to run a few easy penalty kicks Lydney were rewarded after just 8 minutes when Kyle Frowen picked up from a 5m scrum to score. Tom Broady added the conversion to lead 0 – 7 and the Severnsiders looked in control. However, Lydney failed to deal with the restart and Matson picked up the bouncing ball for Shane Burford to run clean through the defence for 5 – 7 just a minute later. Lydney were soon back on the attack and remained in the Matson half with numerous chances to score. Joe McClean was starting to cause the Matson defence all sorts of issues with his powerful runs however a turning point then arose when he suffered a significant injury forcing him to leave the field. With no backs replacement scrumhalf Mason Cunliffe came on to the wing position with Brad Dunn moving into the centre. With the hosts upping their game this appeared to upset the Severnsiders game plan and Matson started to dominate possession and field position. Winning a penalty, they opted to kick for Conner Gwilliam to slot and get the lead 8 – 7. Lydney had completely lost their shape and it was all Matson now winning numerous penalties with the visitors under major pressure. From a further penalty scrum half Findley Young cut through to score, with Gwilliam adding the extras the lead extended to 15 -7. Matson continued to dominate the period to the break with the visitors picking up an unlucky yellow card for the impressive Kyle Frowen. However, the 14 men put in a solid defensive display and the half ended unchanged.
Playing up the slope Lydney had regrouped at the break and the opening 10 minutes remained even. The balance of play then changed when another injury saw centre Joe Hamlin forced to the sidelines. Lydney moved flanker Ryan Watling out into the centre to partner winger Brad Dunn as options became limited. This encouraged the hosts who were clearly up for this derby game soon scoring again, with Gwilliam adding the extras they were nearly safe at 20 – 7. Lydney were switching their replacements around as Bonser and James Bayliss brought on to cover for other players clearly carrying injuries. To add to their woes Tom Broady then went off with an ankle injury so the Severnsiders had two forwards in the backs with Kyle Frowen Lydney’s best player on the day now at centre. Trying to run out of their own 22m area a major error from a scrum gifts Matson an easy score, converted for 27 -7. Lydney did get a consolation try on full time when Dan Cooper crossed, converted by Mason Cunliffe the game ended 27 -14.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘The form book goes out the window in a local derby and we unfortunately suffered a humbling afternoon. Really disappointed, they thoroughly deserved their win, but we allowed them to dictate the game and we lost our game plan. We have been playing well in our last few games so to perform like this is not acceptable for the standards we set, and we will need to review during the week. The fixtures do not get any easier next week we play second in the table Devonport Services so will need to be at our best to keep our unbeaten home run going.
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Sam Baker, Daniel Cooper, Lewis Locke, Zak Williams, Ryan Watling, Luke Hudson, Kyle Frowen, Tom Broady, Kieran Griffiths, Mike Cross, Joe Hamlin (C), Joe McClean, Brad Dunn, Alex Nelmes. Replacements James Baylis, Jake Bonser, Mason Cunliffe
