Newent away match report

Having already defeated the Green Army earlier in the season at Regentsholme the Severnsiders travelled to Newent looking to secure the double in what was predicted to be another tense local derby with the hosts rarely losing at home. However the match proved different with Lydney really on their game giving the hosts a torrid time and gaining their biggest away win of the season. It was a crucial win for the Severnsiders, although now joint third on points it keeps them in with a great chance of promotion and a top two finish.

The game did not start well for Newent who knocked on the kick off and the Severnsiders regathered the ball, a quick forward drive saw Sam Arnott spin the ball out across the back line for winger Brad Dunn to open the scoring in under a minute to lead 0 – 5. Newent did briefly respond winning a penalty but the kick sailed wide. Lydney were soon back on the attack; a line out won by Riley Scriven was driven on by prop Jack Spencer before the ball was recycled across the back line. With the ball spun out to the elusive Brad Dunn who was eventually tackled just short but the quick thinking Arnott picked up the ball and skipped over on the blind side, outside half Tony Wicks kicked the conversion to extend the lead to 0 – 12 halfway through the first period. The hosts clearly shaken responded with some attacks but a solid Lydney defence kept them out without the line ever being really threatened. Every time the visitors got the ball they looked dangerous, back on the attack they won another line out 5m out, a catch from second row Mike Massey was kept in the forwards and Harrison Fowke crashed through, Wicks added the two for 0 – 19 which was the halftime score.

Lydney resumed the second half still the better side and only a knock on stopped a further score. The visitors then won a penalty on the 22m line which Wicks confidently knocked over to put them already three scores ahead 0 – 22 with just 5 minutes of the second half gone. Wicks and Arnott were now controlling the game with some great touchline kicks keeping the hosts penned in their own half and hunting any mistakes. Another attack sees the Severnsiders stretch the hosts defence moving the ball from side to side and eventually numbers told giving winger Henry Sleeman and easy run in for 0 – 27. The visitors were relentless and the Green Army had no response when centre Joe McClean cut through the back line to score under the posts, the conversion added and the score moved to 0 – 34. The hosts never gave up and finally they did breech the Lydney defence following some good forward play when Ben Vincent crossed, Doug Long kicked the conversion to give them some hope of a recovery at 7 – 34.

However the Severnsiders dominated, another attack sees a good break from Fowke spun out to the backs, full back Alex Nelmes enters the line to create the extra man and passes to Sleeman for his second try, with the extras added the score moved to 7 – 41. The Green Army started making numerous mistakes chasing the game and a few scuffles started but it was Lydney’s John Barker who got a yellow card giving the hosts a chance against 14. The defence remained solid with McClean, Olly Locke and Sleeman stopping any backline moves. A great break by the impressive Riley Scriven saw him make huge ground downfield; offloading to Sleeman saw the hosts escape with a few last ditch tackles. The Severnsiders still continued to press and a late forward drive saw Riley Scriven rewarded with a try which Wicks again converted to give a final score of 7 – 48 and the double for the Severnsiders in a dominant display.

Head Coach Dave Emery ‘this was a complete performance and one of our best performances all season. We worked hard this week in training and today everything we asked as a game plan was executed from 1 to 15. We knew they would be up for the derby game and they rarely lose at home but to win with a totally dominant performance is really pleasing. With just two games left we still in the promotion race and have a great chance of a top two finish.’