‘Lydney win with superb 11 try display’.
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 73 Marlborough 7
Lydney up to third in the table following a superb win at Launceston faced another tough challenge against Marlborough where a win was important to keep them in touch with the leaders writes Roger Pike. Sam Arnott selected a strong squad, Charlie Beddis back from illness started at full back and Harvey Heaven after an impressive show from the bench started in the pack. Jack Knox, Alex Nelmes and Zak Williams formed an impressive looking bench. The large crowd were rewarded with an exciting game with the hosts scoring an amazing eleven tries to run out easy winners. The visitors however were dangerous with the ball in hand but no match for the home side who were dominant in the scrum and slick with their open play.
Lydney started the stronger playing down the slope and were soon camped in the visitors 22m area. A couple of early drives from Bonia and Selway saw an opening try denied with a knock on. The hosts were dominant in the pack winning several scrum penalties, when a further penalty is awarded Tom Broady spun a huge pass out to Bradd Dunn to run in out wide for the opening score, Ricky Aley added the conversion 7 – 0. The visitors did respond and looked dangerous in open play but a turnover by Kyle Frowen who was exceptional all afternoon set up another chance for the hosts when Selway crossed but was disallowed by the official. Back on the attack saw a Lydney scrum driven to the line for Pat Hanslow to pick up and score, Aley added the conversion 14 – 0. When a Lydney attack broke down Marlborough took full advantage spinning the ball wide for Shane Vanwyk to score a converted try 14 – 7. No wake-up call was required as the hosts scored immediately, another Frowen turnover saw Aley kick out wide for Dunn to collect and run in under the posts 21 – 0. The hosts prevailed everywhere, with huge territory made from the restart when wingers Dunn and Sleeman combined to give a final pass to the impressive Danny Price to touch down, conversion added 28 – 7. The hosts continued to attack and a good move with Selway and Large was unlucky not to create another try. With another penalty won the hosts opt to scrum and drove over the line for Pat Hanslow to touch down, again Aley added the conversion 35 – 7 to end the half.
The hosts were soon back on the attack when a slick passing move saw fullback Charlie Beddis join the line and had exceptional pace to beat the defence running from halfway to touch down in the corner 40 – 7. Large, Price and Beddis are now rampant in the backline and only a knock on stops a certain score. With the hosts dominant in the scrum another penalty saw a yellow card for the visitors and Lydney take full advantage driving the scrum over the line for Broady to score, Aley added the extras 47 – 7. Against the 14 men it was all Lydney with Sleeman making huge yards on the wing, another penalty saw Broady take a quick tap and the try of the game, with Dunn, Sleeman and the superb Danny Price combining to give Harvey Heaven the scoring pass 52 – 7. Lydney continued to have further chances, but a couple of errors stopped more scores and relief to the visitors. Arnott had the luxury to empty the bench and rest a few players for the last 30 minutes. With Selway and Danny Hodge off it made little difference and a kick to the corner saw a catch by Cuthbert driven for Jack Knox to score, again Aley added the kick 59 – 7. The visitors did have a brief spell in the Lydney half but a knock on from a huge Zak Willimas tackle created another attack when Dunn went virtually the length of the pitch offloading to Broady who scored under the posts 66 – 7. With 10 minutes still left the hosts kept the pressure on, a slick backs move with Danny Price exchanging passes for Henry Sleeman to get a deserved score, Aley converted to end the game 73 – 7.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘I thought we carried the momentum from the Launceston game and to score 73 points is exceptional. The set piece was superb to set up a platform for the backline and a dominant performance. They are a dangerous side in open play, but a good defensive line nullified everything. Next week we are back into Devon for a tough challenge against Sidmouth.’
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Nick Selway, James Bonia, Danny Hodge, Jack Cuthbert, Harvey Heaven, Kyle Frowen, Pat Hanslow, Tom Broady, Rickie Aley, Henry Sleeman, Ben Large©, Danny Price, Brad Dunn, Charlie Beddis. Replacements, Jack Knox, Alex Nelmes, Zak Williams. 
