‘Lydney lose in error ridden game.’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
St Austell 14 Lydney 3
Back on the road a confident Lydney faced a long trip down to Cornwall for a tricky looking fixture against St Austell writes Roger Pike. With Lydney currently fifth and St Austell sixth this was a huge game for both with the winners being back in the promotion challenge. Director of Rugby Sam Arnott again had to reshuffle his side with injury and unavailablity moving Riely Scriven and Luke Hudson to form a new look second row, with Wilf Doyle Finch and Jack Knox starting in the back row. However, the free scoring backline were unchanged and would surely cause the hosts some problems but in a scrappy game the hosts managed out the win. Lydney had their chances in the second half to get back into the match, but crucial errors cost them and ended with nothing for their afternoons work.
The hosts kicked off, but Lydney made a good start in the St Austell half, winning an early penalty they opted to kick, and Jake Hanley slotted for 0 – 3. The hosts respond strongly with a good spell of possession in the 22m area, but the visitors defence held firm with Frowen and Scriven winning some good turnover ball. Winning a penalty they kicked for the corner, from the line out saw a few forward drives to the line before ball was spun out to cross near the posts, the conversion added 7 – 3. The hosts having a good spell kept Lydney under pressure, another attack saw them cross again for 14 – 3. Lydney responded with some good possession but not able to make much territory, Gardy Alford continued to impress at scrum half making some good breaks. The hosts continued to look dangerous spinning the ball wide on every occasion to stretch the defence, but errors and good defence stopped any further scores. James Bonia joined the pack with 10 minutes to halftime. Despite some good Lydney moves the hosts defence held firm winning a penalty to escape and end the half.
Lydney started the second period strongly with some good breaks from Mullis and Harrison, but a good spell of possession ended with a knock on. When the hosts lose the ball Frowen kicked downfield, Alford looked certain to score but dropped the ball and the hosts escaped. Lydney now dominant and when Lewis scored out wide the official unfortunately gave a penalty for crossing in the build-up. Drew Roberts came on and immediately put a penalty kick deep in the hosts 22m area however odd mistakes continued to cost them any scoring real opportunity. The game continued to be a scrappy affair with both sides making mistakes, the visitors now struggling in scrum and lineout was not helping any attack continuity. The hosts had another good spell in the 22m area, but Lydney defence held firm, and Roberts cleared them down to halfway. Lydney were now chasing the game trying to get at least a bonus point, a good break from Doyle Finch got them down to the 22m line however the hosts were managing the game well kicking the ball downfield to keep the visitors pegged back in their half. Lydney were still trying to find a score with Frowen, Scriven, Baker and Doyle Finch put in a good display in the pack, Large and Lewis looked dangerous in the backline. A final break from Alford was offloaded to Sleeman who got deep into the 22m area, but another error saw the hosts escape and a scrappy game ended without a score in the second half.
So, a disappointing afternoon for the Bledisloe Club, after conceding a couple of early tries they certainly had their chances to get back in the match, but their own error count contributed to what turned out to be a poor spectacle for the supporters. Next week a win is critical in the local derby at Regentsholme with Matson the visitors and a big crowd is expected for this Christmas clash.
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Sam Baker, James Bayliss, Rielly Scriven, Luke Hudson, Wilf Doyle Finch, Jack Knox, Kyle Frowen, Grady Alford, Jake Hanley, Henry Sleeman, Ben Large©, Sam Harrison, Ty Lewis, Alex Nelmes. Replacements James Bonia, Drew Roberts.
