‘Lydney unbeaten start ends to Cornish All Blacks’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 29 Launceston 48
Unbeaten Lydney faced their toughest challenge to date with the visit of the Cornish All Blacks from Launceston writes Roger Pike. With the hosts top and the visitors in second a close game was forecast however it was the visitors that were always in control and claimed the win to top the table. The Bledisloe Club however were still without key players, with Brad Barnes, Henry Sleeman, Kyle Frowen and Captain Ben Large all missing becomes more crucial when playing top of the table sides.
The visitors started strongly and had two tries within five minutes both converted by George Hillson to give them a 0 – 14 lead. The home side finally got some possession and won a penalty, Hanley kicked to the corner. From the lineout a superb Hanslow catch set up a forward drive for Sam Baker to touch down 5 -14. Lydney were immediately back on the attack with an almost identical move. Hanley kicked to the corner, Hanslow again takes the lineout ball for Mike Massey to break through for a try, Hanley added the conversion to close the gap to 12 -14. The hosts continued to play in the Launceston half, but the visitors defence was well organised. Despite good breaks from Scriven, Nelmes and Mills the hosts failed to add to their score. The visitors however were clinical when in the Lydney half, winning a penalty they opt for a catch and drive for Levent Bulut to cross 12 – 19 The visitors were immediately back on the attack winning another penalty when Brad Dunn is given a yellow card for a high tackle. Despite some heroic defence from the 14 men, the visitors make the extra man count with another try, again Hillson added the conversion to extend the lead to 12 – 26. Lydney did respond with good breaks from Hudson and Jayne, from a breakdown a deft kick through by Broady was collected by Conal Mills to touch down, Hanley added the extras for a halftime score 19 -26.
Needing a strong second half Lydney got off to the worst possible started gifting the hosts a try when George Hillson scored, converting his try they extended the lead 19 -33 and it looked a long way back for Lydney. The visitors continued to control the game with some quick plays and tactical kicks when required, winning a penalty Hillson kicked to move the score along to 19 -36. James Bonia came off the bench and made an immediate impact with some good drives in open play. Despite winning a couple of penalties and crating numerous chances in the visitors 22m area they conceded a penalty, the very rapid Hillson took a quick tap catching then hosts defence napping to run the length of the pitch offloading to Juarez a few meters out for an easy score 19 -41 and the win was secured. The hosts however dug deep still trying to create chances, following a Harrison break they win a penalty, Hanley kicked to the corner. With yet another catch from the impressive Hounslow the forward drive set up Baker for his second try. 24 – 41. The visitors then scored again following some slack Lydney defence and the very impressive Hillson scored again 24 – 48. Their backline looked dangerous all afternoon probably the difference between the two sides. However, trying to run out of their own half Rowan Mullis intercepted a pass and ran from the 22m line to score out wide and end the game 29 -48. Lydney unfortunately picked up a couple of injuries to Scriven and McGurk, with Dunn and Broady unavailable next week Director of Rugby will face a difficult week ahead to select a team for another tough test next week at Barnstable.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘A sobering afternoon, they were clinical this afternoon, but we did gift them several of their tries. We were well in the game at halftime but needed to up a gear. It was a poor second half from us, especially not sticking to the things we do well, and they easily managed out the game. We will put things right in training this week as another big game comes quickly away at Barnstable.’
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Sam Baker, Gearard McGurk, Mike Massey, Pat Hanslow, Luke Hudson, Louis Jayne, Rielly Scriven©, Tom Broady, Jake Hanley, Conal Mills, Sam Harrison, Brad Dunn, Ben Jones, Alex Nelmes. Replacements James Bonia, Kurt Brown, Tom Rowe.
