‘Lydney storm to huge victory’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Ivybridge 5 Lydney 65
Back on the road with both Bridges shut Lydney had a long trip via Gloucester down into Devon for a tricky looking fixture against Ivybridge on their artificial surface writes Roger Pike. The conditions were dominated by the storm with the posts swaying dramatically in the gale force wind. Rugby director Sam Arnott was again forced into changes with Grady Alford making his debut at scrum half, Mike Massey returned to the second row and Louis Jayne moved to the backrow. Injuries have blighted the Bledisloe Club this season and probably have yet to field their best side. Arnott clearly had a game plan to master the conditions which was executed perfectly by the team running everything thus avoiding the lottery of kicking the ball in the gale force conditions. Lydney proved just too good for the hosts running in eleven tries with eight different try scorers, a hat trick for Ty Lewis saw them pass 60 points for a huge 5-point win.
All Lydney from the kick off, playing against the gale they dominate the opening encounters. Some good forward drives saw the ball spun across the backs for Ty Lewis to put a clever kick through and score after just 2 minutes. The wind made the wide out conversion virtually impossible for Hanley 0 – 5. The hosts replied and were soon deep in the 22m area however a knock on Lydney run it out and a superb break from Lewis saw him tackled just short. Lydney looked dominant upfront, winning another scrum the ball is spun out for winger Henry Sleeman to crash through for 0 – 10. Lydney continue to dominate with Lewis tackled into touch just short. With 20 minutes gone the hosts cannot get out of their half despite the wind advantage, Sleeman and Lewis were causing havoc on the wings and the forwards dominating up front. Another move saw Alex Nelmes join the line from full back to make the extra man to score, Hanley added the extras for 0 – 17. With kicking impossible against the gale Lydney just ran everything, the Ivybridge defence was breeched again with Sleeman crossing out wide 0 – 22. The hosts get a yellow card for numerous offences, Lydney are forced to bring Rowan Mullis on for the injured Myers. Having an immediate impact Mullis crashed over close to the posts with Hanley adding the extras 0 – 29. With Alford spinning the ball out on every occasion or Scriven picking up for forward drives the visitors continued to dominate. The hosts did get a chance to end the half with a score, but the Lydney defence held firm.
The hosts come out with a brief response but make little progress playing against the gale and it started to look a long half for them. The hosts drop the ball on halfway, Lydney kick through for Hanley to touch down 0 – 34. Lydney reply direct from the kick off with Ben Large cutting through, Hanley added the extras 0 – 41. Ivybridge try desperately to run the ball but make little progress, losing the ball again saw sub Drew Roberts pick up to dart through, tackled just short Lydney spin the ball out for Louis Jayne to score, Hanley added a difficult conversion 0 – 48 with 20 minutes left. A brief Ivybridge attack saw the visitors defence again hold firm, a goal line drop out with the wind landed well inside the hosts half and Lydney press for another score. The hosts just cannot get out of their half, Ty Lewis did another clever kick through for his second try out wide, another Hanley conversion for 0 – 55. The hosts did get a consolation try in injury time however Lydney regained the ball from the kick off and another attack saw Ty Lewis cross again for his hat trick of tries 0 – 60. Still not done the visitors attack through a Ben Large break, recycling the ball Rowan Mullis scored again to end the game 5 – 65.
Next week Cornwall beckons and Lydney have another long trip down to St Austell where their confidence will be high for another away win.
Lydney – Garrett Myers, San Baker, James Bayliss, Mike Massey, Pat Hanslow, Louis Jayne, Kyle Frowen, Rielly Scriven, Grady Alford, Jake Hanley, Henry Sleeman, Ben Large©, Sam Harrison, Ty Lewis, Alex Nelmes. Replacements Rowan Mullis, Wilf Doyle-Finch, Drew Roberts.