‘Lydney win with Dunn masterclass.’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 36 Huel®Tring 13
Lydney end their season playing in the National Cup against teams from St Austell, Northampton, and Tring in a league format. Firstly, there must be a question of logic for such a competition where in a group format teams and supporters are travelling huge distances at a considerable cost, surely a more regional format could be arranged in preliminary stages writes Roger Pike. Lydney have used 38 players this season forced by a huge injury list and added few more by giving some of their promising youngsters their debut from the bench.
Lydney got off to the worst start possible when a dropped ball virtually from the kick off gifted Tring a try from Olly O’Gorman which Ben Hogan converted, and the visitors led 0 -7 in the opening minute. The visitors fielded a huge side both in forwards and backs and Lydney did well in defence all afternoon. The hosts made a good reply and put some good attacks together with Conal Mills tackled just a few meters short. Lydney then created a move from their own half with Barnes getting the backs going, Nelmes made the extra man, he released Brad Dunn who was superb all game for their opening try, Brad Barnes converted, and the scores were level. The game remained even but the Lydney scrum was coming under pressure from the big Tring pack. Winning a scrum penalty Hogan opted to kick to get the lead back 7 – 10 after 20 minutes. Another Tring penalty was missed but they soon got another for Hogan to extend the lead 7 -13. The hosts responded well with Nelmes and Dunn making another good break, with the ball recycled hooker Sam Baker was tackled just 2 meters short and Tring escape. The try of the afternoon then followed, deep in their own half Lydney run the ball spinning it out to Dunn who just evaded numerous tackles to run from his own half scoring under the posts, Barnes kicked the extras and the hosts led 14 – 13 which was the halftime score.
Tring came out of the blocks in the second half but some great Lydney defence with Frowen leading the way kept them out. Lydney responded with a couple of good attacks, the impressive Hounslow, Williams and Mullis making good ground in the forward drives got the hosts into the visitors 22m area. When a clearance kick was charged down by Scriven he calmly collected the loose ball to score, again Barnes slotted the conversion for 21 – 13. Lydney then won a penalty on the 10m line which Barnes opted to kick to extend the lead 24 – 13. With 60 minutes gone its all Lydney with the visitor’s big side started to tire and loose their discipline, Scriven was running riot in the loose making huge ground every time he had the ball and would surely be man of the match without the Dunn show. Another attack sees some great handling with Barnes dictating the play, some good forward drives from Mullis, Baker and Hounslow sees Barnes spin it out to Henry Sleeman who breaks through, from the breakdown Kyle Frowen having a superb game picked up to spin through two tackles and score 29 – 13. With 15 minutes left Sam Arnott rings the changes to bring on Owain Williams, Wilf Doyle- Finch and Charlie Beddis for their debuts with the experienced Hudson and Jayne also entering for the final stages. Tring raised their game looking for a score but with Hudson making some solid tackles they made limited progress. With 10 minutes left two yellows followed with Scriven for Lydney and Wilton for Tring sent to the bin. Tring continued to lose their discipline and conceded numerous penalties, back on the attack Barnes gets another move going, Charlie Beddis making his debut from the colts looking very confident at this level got another Dunn break going, with the offload to Henry Sleeman now on the wing saw him power through the defence to score out wide. Barnes having a super game with ball in hand and from the tee added the conversion from out wide for 36 – 13. Tring battled away in the final minutes but two good try saving tackles from Drew Roberts and Nelmes kept them out and the game ended 36 – 13.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘Thought we manged the game well, they are a big side, so we knew we had to move them around and play a high intensity game. They are clearly a good side but some superb defence all afternoon restricted them to just one try. The high intensity plan worked, we ran everything, in the second half they tired, and ill-discipline set in when we took full advantage and scored some great tries. Really pleased to also give three young lads their debuts so the futures is looking bright for our Club.’
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Sam Baker, Gareth Winter, Zak Williams, Pat Hanslow, Kurt Brown, Kyle Frowen, Reilly Scriven, Drew Roberts, Brad Barnes, Conal Mills, Kieran Griffiths, Henry Sleeman, Brad Dunn, Alex Nelmes © Replacements Wilf Doyle-Finch, James Bayliss, Louis Jayne, Luke Hudson, Owain Evans, Charlie Beddis.
