‘Lydney open with score draw’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 25 Royal Wootton Bassett 25
Welcome to a new season of match reports from Lydney RFC writes Roger Pike. First up were Royal Wootton Basset who would offer a stern test having won at Regentsholme last season. Director of Rugby Sam Arnott has been busy in the close season with several new signings to replace departing players. In the pack Nick Selway joined as a player coach and will bring a wealth of experience, in the second row Danny Hodge and Jack Cuthbert form a big pack, Danny Price joined the backline where Ben Large continues as captain. The Bledisloe Club however suffered two serious injuries in recent friendly games with Brad Barnes now out for the season and Charlie Beddis likely to be on the sidelines for several weeks. On a sunny but windy afternoon an entertaining game followed with the scores always close and the draw was a fair result.
Playing with the wind towards the town Lydney were out of the blocks and dominated the opening encounters, some good drives from Ben Large and the impressive Nick Selway kept them in the opponents 22m area. Winning a penalty Tom Broady kicked to open the scores 3 – 0. The game remained even for a ten-minute spell however the visitors then had a good spell ending with Mitch Gough scoring, converted by Rhys Floyd the visitors led 3 – 7. The hosts attacked immediately with their big pack starting to dominate, winning a penalty they kicked to the corner. A great Hanslow catch set up a forward drive, with Selway proving unstoppable crossed for the try, Broady added the extras 10 – 7. The game was proving end to end, the try of the game followed when the hosts ran out from their 22m area, Cuthbert went on a superb break offloading to Brad Dunn who made huge territory passing to Alex Nelmes to cross out wide 15 – 7. Playing with the wind the hosts continued to dominate but spurned a good chance when close to the line. The visitors then broke out going the length of the pitch for Semi to cross 15 – 12 and halftime.
Lydney started strongly in the second half but struggled to make territory against the strong wind, the visitors were using a kicking game to keep the hosts penned in their own half. Winning a penalty, they kicked to the corner for the forwards to catch and drive for an easy score, Floyd added the conversion 15 – 19. The visitors continued to dominate territory, but a great Dunn break out who was proving unplayable made huge yards with Henry Sleeman but a knock on saw the try go begging. The hosts now upping their game won the ball from the turnover king Kyle Frowen, spinning the ball wide to Nelmes the visitors concede a penalty from a deliberate knock on when the pass to Dunn was surely a score. However, from the resulting penalty drives from Hanslow, Cuthbert and the impressive Knox got within a couple of meters where Selway was impossible to stop 20 – 19. Winning a penalty from the restart Floyd kicked to regain the lead 20 – 22. A scuffle then followed and both sides down to 14 with Hodge for the hosts. Another penalty near halfway sees Floyd kick to extend the lead 20 – 25. The hosts were not to be denied and counter with a great move of forward drives from Knox and Cuthbert, the ball spun out saw Sleeman crash through tackles to make good ground into the 22m area, Broady spun the ball wide where Brad Dunn beat the defender to cross in the corner, unfortunately for Broady against the strong wind the conversion dropped agonisingly under the bar to end the game 25 – 25. So, for the second season running Lydney start with a draw but gain 3 points with their bonus point so still a good afternoon.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘If we are honest that was disappointing, we lacked urgency and fluidity in attack and did not execute some easy opportunities especially in the first half. However, we showed some good character with some good individual performances. For sure we are much better than this performance, we will work hard during the week as we face another big challenge next away at St Austell.’
Lydney – James Bonia, Nick Selway, James Bayliss, Danny Hodge, Jack Cuthbert, Luke Hudson, Kyle Frowen, Pat Hanslow, Tom Broady, Joe Hamlin, Tyerees Douglas, Ben Large©, Henry Sleeman, Alex Nelmes. Replacements Alfie Searles, Jack Knox, Danny Price.
Coney Hill 13 Lydney United 11
A disappointing afternoon for the young Lydney United side, leading with just a minutes left a penalty gave the hosts the win. The impressive Wilf Doyle-Finch opening the United scoring a try and a Jack Sterry penalty gave them the halftime lead. With Drew Roberts adding a second half penalty they led going into the closing minutes with a two point lead only for the hosts to kick a penalty to get the win 11 – 10. There were some excellent individual performances especially from young Wilf Doyle-Finch, Harvey Haven was man of the match, so the future looks bright for the young side in the coming season. It looks like Josh Haddock will be out for the season but his experience from the side will be invaluable.
