‘Lydney winning run ends in Devon’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Oakhampton 36 Lydney 10
Winning their last two games Oakhampton looked to provide a tough test for the Severnsiders who were also on a run of back-to-back wins writes Roger Pike. A thrilling game entertained a large crowd with the hosts taking the points thanks to a dominate display in the second half. The Severnsiders forced into changes due to continuing injuries and suspension, in the pack James Bayliss, Jordan Fowke and Oliver Fleet making his debut all started, the bench consisted of forward Gareth Winter with Conal Mills and Kieran Griffiths covering the backline.
The Oakhampton pitch has a large slope downfield and with the wind in the same direction it would prove critical to use the slope advantage. The Severnsiders started with this advantage, but the game remained even in the opening quarter, The hosts had plenty of possession, but a good Lydney defence kept the game scoreless. A great clearance kick from Brad Barnes crated a line out deep in the hosts 22m, with the lineout won the forwards and backs joined to form a good drive and hooker Dan Cooper crashed over. The reliable Branes kicked the extras and the Severnsiders were 0 – 7. The hosts responded and had some good possession without looking able to break the Lydney defence finally opting to kick a penalty through Luke Simmons for 3 – 7 after half an hour. The hosts continued to put pressure on winning another penalty which luckily for the Severnsiders hit the post. Lydney were not really taking advantages of the slope, but a super Barnes kick created an attack deep in the 22m area. Winning a further penalty Barnes kicked a goal to extend the lead at 3 – 10. The hosts won possession back at the kick off and put major pressure on the Severnsiders line winning several penalties. The official then issued a yellow card to Ollie Fleet and from the resulting penalty fullback Luke Simmons scores to close the gap to 8 – 10. With halftime looming Lydney were camped in the hosts half winning numerous penalties, turning down easy kicks they desperately tried to get a seven-point score to try and reflect the advantage of the conditions, but the score remained unchanged as the half ended.
With Lydney now playing up the slope they were soon under pressure and Zak Willimas picked up a yellow card to leave them down to 13. Although the hosts kicked to the corner the visitors held out a series of attacks. A clearance kick stays in field and Oakhampton run it back spinning the ball out to Simmons who scored and converts his own try to get the lead 15 – 10. The visitors then lose Broady and Henry Sleeman to injuries and are forced to empty their bench with Hamlin filling in at scrum half. Anther attack from the hosts sees a penalty which the reliable Simmons kicks for 18 -10 and the hosts were two scores clear. Oakhampton were now dominate but numerous turnovers from Kyle Frowen especially were keeping Lydney in the game. Due to the elements Lydney were forced to run everything out of defence and the narrow pitch did not help the speedy backline. Another error sees Simmons kick for 21 – 10. Lydney tried to attack and a super run from substitute Conal Mills saw him tackled just a metre short. From an attacking lineout Lydney lose the ball which was repeated in several attacking chances costing them any chance of closing the deficit. The hosts win another penalty which Simmons knocked over for 24 – 10. Lydney the were chasing the game running everything, a no arms tackle on Cooper sees a red card for then hosts and a chance for Lydney. However, this did not stop the hosts and on their next attack Dan Fogerty scores, again converted and they were out of sight at 31 – 10. Unfortunately, a high tackle from Zak Williams sees him red carded and the visitors were down to 13 after a yellow for Barnes. The hosts drove over from the resulting penalty to end the game 36 – 10.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘We needed to be clinical to take advantage of the conditions in the first half and I thought we left a few scores out there. Although leading at the break a disappointing second half, our lineout ceased to function which cost us any scoring opportunities. We were forced to make numerous changes and on a positive these players will learn from the experience. We will train hard this week to get back on the winning trail at Regentsholme against our next visitors from St Austell.
Lydney – Rowan Mullis, Daniel Cooper, James Bayliss, Jordan Fowke, Zak Williams, Oliver Fleet, Luke Hudson, Kyle Frowen, Tom Broady, Brad Barnes, Henry Sleeman, Joe Hamlin, Ben Large (C), Brad Dunn, Alex Nelmes. Replacements James Baylis, Kieran Griffiths, Conal Mills
