‘Lydney still unbeaten with brilliant display.’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 69 Sidmouth 22
Lydney took their unbeaten start against a strong Sidmouth side containing a couple of ex premiership players, despite a close first quarter the hosts dominated the remainder of the game with a superb 60-point display writes Roger Pike. Injuries continue to plague the Bledisloe Club but there is some good news on the horizon with Alex Nelmes and Brad Dunn expected to be available for the next game. Director of rugby Sam Arnott collaborating with new physio Maddie Baliey are ensuring players are 100% recovered before selection rather than rush them back only to pick up another injury. A huge crowd were entertained with a game of over 90 points with some quality tries, the hosts deserved winners earning the maximum 5 points.
Sidmouth always strong on the road were ahead within in a minute, Lydney dropped the ball from the kick-off which the visitors picked up and spun the ball out for Dan Armstrong to cross for 0 -5. The hosts responded immediately with some good breaks from centres Sleeman and Large got them into the 22m area, Riley Scriven then drove on just short, George Knowles was on hand for the offload to crash over, Brad Barnes converted for 7 -5. The visitors responded with an attack but dropped the ball only to see Tom Broady pick up and run the length of the pitch unopposed 12 -5. The game was proving end to end and on their next attack the visitors score again through Jake Smith 12 -10. Back came Lydney winning a scrum on the 22m line, moving the ball wide Conal Mills scored in the corner 17 -10. A quality try then followed, the hosts broke from their own half from the impressive Jake Hanley, Sleeman carried the move on offloading to Scriven who went clean through, tackled by the last defender he offloaded to Knowles for his second try, Barnes added the extras 24 -10. Another dropped kick off saw the visitors put another good move together with some slick passing for Sam Heathcote to score 24 -17. A good break from Large got Lydney deep in the 22m area, the visitors penalised saw Barnes kick a penalty for 27 – 17. From the restart Sidmouth did win a penalty, but an easy kick was missed and the half ended.
Clearly for Arnott and his coaches there were things to put right at the break and the second half performance totally changed with the hosts dominating the half scoring 45 points. A worrying injury to the impressive Gearard McGurk saw him leave the field with Rowan Mullis off the bench. The hosts were dominate, a break from Knowles was stopped short, the visitors then penalised for offside saw a kick to the corner, a great Hanslow catch saw a forward drive for Sam Baker to touch down, Barnes again converted 34 – 17. The visitors now under severe pressure conceded another penalty on the 22m line, another catch and drive saw the Lydney pack drive over with Rowan Mullis touching down, conversion added 41 – 17. Mason Cunliffe on at halftime put in a super display scoring within a minute of the restart following a good break from Mike Massey. With Barnes now kicking everything the score was an incredible 48 -17. The hosts were now totally in charge spinning the ball around playing some superb rugby, another scrum saw the ball again spun across the backs for Mills to score in the corner, Barnes again added the two 55 – 17 with still 20 minutes left. Attacks were coming from everywhere, next was prop Mullis to break through, tackled, captain Ben Large took the offload outpacing the defence to score, extras again added 62 -17. The hosts had emptied their bench which upped the energy levels to keep the pressure on, second row Mike Massey was the next to break the defence but was caught just short, the alert Cunliffe took the offload for his second try, with the injured Barnes off Jake Hanley added the conversion 69 – 17. Sidmouth did get a try deep into injury try and end the game 69 -22. Although there were some superb individual performances all 18 were outstanding with 3 wins and a draw the seasons looking bright at Regentsholme.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘Really pleased with the performance especially second half, that’s the best rugby we have played for a long while. We corrected a few things at the break and totally dominated the half, the replacements kept the energy levels to create a big score. We have a week off now but face some tough challenges in the coming month starting with an away trip to Wooton Basset.’
Lydney – Garrett Myers, Sam Baker, Gearard McGurk, Mike Massey, Pat Hanslow, Luke Hudson, George Knowles, Rielly Scriven, Tom Broady, Brad Barnes, Conal Mills, Ben Large©, Henry Sleeman, Ben Jones, Jake Hanley. Replacements Rowan Mullis, Louis Jayne, Mason Cunliffe.
