Severnsiders win again
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 30 North Petherton 17
A good crowd turned out at Regentsholme to see Lydney put in a workman like performance to see off the visitors from North Petherton. With both sides having a won two and lost two this season the game was crucial as would put the winner in the promotion challenging positions. The Severnsiders started much the brighter and dominated the opening encounters with North Petherton unable to get out of their own half. The visitors fielded a huge pack but the Lydney forwards were rampant and creating havoc recycling quick ball at the breakdown and within 5 minutes had their first score when Captain Dave Bennet crashed through the defence to touch down. Debut outside half Alex Peel added the extras for 7 – 0. With Lydney trying to play some quick ball the visitors started to give away penalties and soon the Official had no option but to bin one of the visitor’s forwards. From the awarded penalty Alex Peel knocked over the kick to extend the score to 10 – 0. Further pressure saw the official sin bin another player after numerous infringements and Lydney seized the opportunity. A good turnover from John Barker won Lydney another penalty which they kicked into the 22m. From the resulting line out Kurt Brown passed to the charging Dave Bennet who was tackled just short, moving it quickly out to the backs Tai Lakabuka scored out wide which was converted by Peel for 17 – 0. Virtually on half time the visitors had some possession themselves and a slick move across their speedy backs saw Henry Gliddon score converted by Jack Rees for a halftime score of 17 – 7.
Lydney started the second half strongly looking to put the game out of site and earned another penalty which Peel knocked over to extend the lead to 20 – 7. The Severnsiders looking in total command then commit suicide trying to run out of their own half gift an aimless pass straight to the North Petherton backs and Damian Griffin scored an unchallenged try to bring them back into the game at 20 – 12. This seemed to upset the Lydney game plan and they began to look nervous, a further good move by the visitors backs saw their winger Lewis Allen outpace the Lydney defence and bring the score to 20 – 17 with 20 minutes left. However the character of the Lydney side showed through and they got themselves back into the game with some good forward driving play saw a score from the hard working Kurt Brown, with Alex Peel again adding the extras Lydney had some breathing space at 27 – 17. With the crowd now in good voice Lydney dominated the last 5 minutes and further good moves saw Henry Sleeman stopped by some last ditch tackles. The Severnsiders were awarded another penalty on the last play which Peel knocked over to end the game at 30 – 17 and a well-earned victory for the Severnsiders.
Coach Lee Fortey commented ‘delighted this was another good performance and 3 wins on the spin now. Despite playing a bigger pack the forwards were good, the set piece very secure but with a bit more patience we could easily have scored a number of tries and been out of sight by half time. I thought we showed real character in the second half, we gifted them two scores and got ourselves under pressure but we managed our way back into the game and ran out deserved winner. We have a few players missing next week so will be a good opportunity for other players to state their case, it will be a tough game away at Sidmouth but for sure after this performance a match we are well capable of winning’.