‘Lydney give Champions a real scare.’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 20 Devonport Services 24
Life does not get any easier for Lydney, with 15 players out injured combined with recent back-to-back games against the top three sides saw the visit of leaders Devonport Services who with a win would secure promotion and the League title writes Roger Pike. An experienced Devonport side were always going to be a big test for the Severnsiders; it proved an exciting game for the huge crowd with the visitors securing a close-run contest however Lydney gave them a real scare in the last 10 minutes and spurned two glorious chances to win the game. With a large injury list Lydney had little options as regards selection, Brad Barnes the only change returning at fly half, some positional changes saw Reilly Scriven starting this week in the second row with Kurt Brown in the back row, the bench again contained three forwards with new signing Leo Mullis making his debut.
The Lydney nemesis of conceding early points continued with the visitors on their game from the off scoring after just two minutes from a penalty kick from Goldsby-West. Lydney did respond and were camped in the visitors 22m area but despite numerous attacks the visitors defence held firm. Back on the attack the visitors were stretching the hosts defence spinning the ball around with full back Harrison Coonick cutting through to score, Goldsby-West again added the extras for 0 – 10 after 14 minutes. Lydney battled hard playing up the slope and against the strong breeze, but the game remained even. When Lydney won a penalty just outside the 22m area Brad Barnes opted to kick and slot the kick for 3 – 10. The visitors were soon back on the attack but this time a solid Lydney defensive effort stops any further scores. A breakout from their own half saw the hosts cross halfway with a super run from prop Rowan Mullis, with the ball spun out Alex Nelmes broke the defensive line, unluckily tackled short he offloaded to Brad Dunn who scored in the corner. Barnes added a superb touchline kick to level the score 10 – 10. Devonport responded close to halftime and were soon camped on the Lydney 5m line winning numerous penalties. From another scrum infringement the Official yellow carded Rowan Mullis. Taking full advantage of the 14 players they drove over from the penalty with Matt Gregory scoring, with the conversion added the half ended 10 -17.
Playing with the strong wind Lydney started the second period strongly putting the visitors under pressure. Winning a penalty on halfway Branes opted for a monster kick, with the wind assistance it sailed over for 13 -17. The visitors having only lost three games all season responded immediately with a series of strong driving attacks, from just a few meters out Goldsby- West crossed and kicked the conversion to give them some safety at 13 – 24. Lydney then continued to come under major pressure, giving away scrum penalties and it looked the game was going away but somehow, they dug deep and stopped any further scores. Leo Mullis came off the bench and gave a very impressive performance for his debut. With a minor scuffle the Official awards a yellow to each side and Scriven went for 10 minutes. From the resulting penalty the superb kicking of Barnes saw the ball find touch 5m out. When the resulting forward drive from Frowen was stopped just short Henry Sleeman picked up and scored, Barnes again faultless with the kick sees game on 20 – 24. With some great performances from the whole team especially Mullis, Scriven Frowen and Cooper in the pack and Nelmes, Dunn and Barnes in the backs, Lydney are soon back in the visitors 22m area. The hosts then spurned two glorious chances to win the game plus a couple of penalties awarded to the visitors by the Official sees a very relived Devonport hold out to end the game 20 -24.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘Firstly congratulations to Devonport on winning the league. Really pleased today with the players attitude, we played some good rugby and scored some excellent tries. However, they are Champions for a reason, and they find ways to win scoring on just a few unforced errors from us. We had two great chances at the end to win the game showing how small the margins are between the top and middle of the table. Our final game is at Regentsholme in two weeks’ time when we play Exmouth, a win will see us finish a respectable sixth in the table.’
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Sam Baker, Daniel Cooper, Louis Jayne, Reilly Scriven, Luke Hudson, Kurt Brown, Kyle Frowen, Jack O’Connell, Brad Barnes, Conal Mills, Kieran Griffiths, Henry Sleeman, Brad Dunn, Alex Nelmes©. Replacements Gareth Winter, Lewis Locke, Leo Mullis
