‘Lydney in draw thriller’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 15 Topsham 15
Lydney in forth faced another tough test against joint top of the table Topsham, with a loss at Exmouth it was critical they got back to fortress Regentsholme writes Roger Pike. Director of Rugby Sam Arnott made a few changes welcoming back Nick Selway and Danny Hodge from injury also included Jake Powles at scrum half, Joe Byrne on the wing and Charlie Beddis started at fullback. A strong bench consisted of Knox, Nelmes and new signing prop Fionn Steele. The game proved an absolute thriller with Topsham paying Barbarians rugby running the ball from everywhere. There was just a score between the sides all afternoon and with the scores tied into the last quarter a tense affair followed. Deep into injury time Lydney had a penalty but a 5m lineout went astray and the draw was a fair result to both sides.
Topsham started the stronger and were camped in the hosts half for the first quarter with Lydney unable to get out. Numerous attacks were thwarted by a superb defensive line with Hudson, Frowen and Large making numerous tackles. The visitor’s pressure was relentless and another backs move saw a kick to the corner where Sam Wescott caught and touched down 0 – 5. A great reply from the restart saw Lydney win a penalty which was kicked to halfway, Pat Hanslow won the lineout which was spun out to Charlie Beddis who broke the line, outpaced the defence, and scored out wide. With Ricky Alley kicking the touchline conversion the hosts led 7 – 5. Lydney then had a great spell with Beddis again making a good break which ended with a penalty on the 22m line. A kick to the corner and a Hanslow lineout win saw various forward drives ended with Hodge touching down on the line. However, the official was unsighted and gave a scrum saying it was short. The hosts pack were rampant now winning numerous penalties but a knock on wasted another good scoring chance. A further penalty saw them opt to kick and Alley extended the lead 10 – 5. With a few minutes of the half left the visitors again ran the ball back and created a good score through James Mattin, Batty added the conversion to give them the lead 10 – 12. The hosts did have a final chance to score with a huge break from winger Henry Sleeman, but a lineout error saw the half end.
Topsham again had a good spell to start the half but a solid defensive shift from Hudson and Frowen in particular kept them out. With Cuthbert and Selway being immense in the loose the hosts started to build some momentum. Beddis and Large were again breaking the line to make good field position but too often errors were thwarting some easy scoring opportunities. From a penalty the hosts kicked to the corner, with some good forward drives James Bonia was on hand to drive over out wide 15 – 12. The visitors again were running the ball from everywhere and soon deep in the Lydney half, a penalty won Batty took the easy kick to tie the scores 15 – 15 with twenty-minutes left. Cuthbert then got a yellow card which looked a game changer however a superb defensive shift from the hosts kept them out for the ten minutes. With Joe Byrne and Jake Powles looking dangerous with the ball further chances were created but not taken with the still hosts making numerous errors. Topsham did have a long-range penalty kick to take the lead but with it missed Lydney created a good attack deep into injury time. With Topsham down to 13 players they dismissed a penalty kick and scrum but opted for a 5m lineout however they could not secure the ball, and the game ended 15 – 15.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘It’s hard to take but we did not play well today especially in the second half. We had a clear game plan which we did not execute so disappointed, far too many errors however we did create numerous scoring chances which we should have taken. It does not get any easier, we are back in Cornwall to face Launceston next which again will be a huge game, but we will work hard in the break to put things right.’
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Nick Selway, James Bonia, Danny Hodge, Jack Cuthbert, Luke Hudson, Kyle Frowen, Pat Hanslow, Jake Powles, Rickie Aley, Henry Sleeman, Ben Large©, Danny Price, Joe Byrne, Charlie Beddis. Replacements Fionn Steele, Jack Know, Alex Nelmes.
