‘Lydney edge Cup semi-final derby.’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 14 Drybrook 8
An evening fixture under the lights at Regentsholme always adds some extra spice and passion especially when Drybrook are in town for this Combination Cup semi-final fixture writes Roger Pike. The local derby did not disappoint, the large crowd was entertained with some huge tackles, a few handbags, and some good running rugby from both sides. Although the visitors had more possession and several scoring chances it was the solid home defence and the experienced heads that managed out the win for Lydney. It was not going to be an easy task for the hosts; Sam Arnott already with a depleted squad was again forced into changes from the weekend following injuries; Zak Williams came into the backrow, in the backs Charlie Beddis started at Outside half allowing Joe Hamlin to slot into the centre with Danny Price. A youthful bench contained Alfie Searls, Coby Scriven, Wilf Doyle-Finch and James Cooper.
Lydney started the better with a great Pat Hanslow break got them to within 5m, but the move ended with a knock-on. The visitors then had a good spell of possession, with Lydney conceding numerous penalties they remained camped in the 22m. However, despite numerous good attacks the hosts defence remained solid with Danny Price, Hanslow, Cuthbert and Williams putting in multiple tackles. When another penalty was conceded Drybrook opted for some points and Liam Harris converted for 0 – 3. The hosts then had their best spell of the game, a break from Price got them up field where the forwards drove on with Bonia and Knox adding some yards. From a 22m lineout saw a Hanslow take, the forwards marshalled by Hodge created a drive to get within 10m, with again Bonia proving difficult to stop, Broady recycled the ball to winger Tyerees Douglas who cut into the line and crossed out wide, Charlie Beddis added the conversion 7 – 3. The hosts then looked in command solid running from Hanslow, Cuthbert and Price always looked dangerous. When a similar move created another catch and drive this time the impressive Rowan Mullis was on hand out wide to batter through two defenders to score. Beddis added the difficult conversion 14 – 3. The visitors clearly playing with some real passion responded immediately and created more chances with breaks from Harry Howard and Tom Baldwin in midfield which kept them in the Lydney 22m area, Mitch Bourne marshalled a forward drive to cross the line, but a held-up decision was given and the hosts escaped. The visitors remained camped in the Lydney half for the final 10 minutes but could not break a well marshalled defence.
Playing down the slope in the second half, the hosts created an early chance with a penalty from a Williams turnover, but the lineout was misfunctioning with Finn Watkins stealing ball or causing overthrows nullified many hosts attacks. The game then became a real derby scrap with Drybrook showing some real passion and became dominate in possession. Numerous chances were created and they finally executed one when fullback Will Heal scored in the corner 14 – 8. Drybrook then continued to dominate a lack lustre Lydney and only a knock on stopped another score. Another penalty saw the forwards pound the Lydney line but the experienced heads of Frowen, Hodge, Hamlin and Price kept the defence solid. A backs break from Baldwin was spun out and only a last tackle from Alex Nelmes stopped a try. Worse then followed from another attack when Rowan Mullis was given a yellow card for offside, so Searls came on as front row replacement and Williams was sacrificed for the 10 minutes.
However, the experienced heads and youthful passion saw Lydney survive and were back to 15 for the closing stages. It was getting a real nervous watch for both supporters as the game could easily go either way with just a 6-point difference. From a superb Frowen turnover a Lydney penalty got them into the hosts half in injury time and some game management from Hodge slowed things down to keep them downfield and close out the game 14 – 8. So not a classic in rugby terms but local derby’s are always a close encounter and it was Lydney who move on to play Newent in the final at Regentsholme in early May.
Head Coach Paul Morris commented ‘A typical local derby, despite their league position Drybrook showed some real character and caused us a lot of problems. Not a great performance from us as form means little in a derby fixture but we did just enough; helped by our experienced players we managed out a tight game.’
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Jack Knox, James Bonia, Danny Hodge, Jack Cuthbert, Zak Williams, Kyle Frowen, Pat Hanslow ©, Tom Broady, Charlie Beddis, Max Turner, Joe Hamlin, Danny Price, Tyerees Douglas, Alex Nelmes. Replacements, Alfie Searls, Coby Scriven, Wilf Doyle-Finch, James Cooper.
