Severnsiders reflect a Sensational Season
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
What an unimaginable season with events off the pitch dominating than the playing matters on it. Hopes were high for top spot as the season kicked off; on paper the Severnsiders had a strong squad and lead by new Captain Dave Bennet were ready for the season ahead. However playing matters have almost been forgotten with the tragic events that were to follow. In early February Storm Ciara arrived followed closely by Dennis over the weekend of the 15th February and disaster struck with Regentsholme and the Clubhouse totally flooded out. A herculean effort from working parties, volunteers, crowd funding, grants etc. saw the impossible happen and we were back playing at home again by 07th March. If these were not disastrous events, far worse was to follow with the deadly Corona Virus striking the UK. Following Government advice the season was correctly ended 4 games short with the Severnsiders in second spot.
In September we kicked off to a stuttering start, away at Keynsham the Severnsiders will not get many easier chances for an away win dominating the first half but spurned numerous scoring chances. The second period saw our set piece disintegrated and the hosts ran out winners 22 – 12. There were some positives from a promising new look side but more work on the training ground was urgently required. A second away match followed at Thornbury which saw an absolute horror show and the home team out of sight by half time. Thornbury scored 35 points in a one sided affair and had their bonus point by half time. However the second half saw the Lydney pack start to dominate and were soon in total control scoring numerous tries themselves but just fell short of time for a complete comeback going down 40 – 32 and only a bonus point for their efforts. These couple of losses put the pressure on so the first home game against the Green Army became a must win game. A good crowd turned out at Regentsholme on a glorious Saturday for this local derby and it was the Severnsiders who gained the crucial win to get their season underway leaving the visitors in the relegation places at this early stage. In a tight game the Severnsiders were always in control and an interception saw Mike Cross get Lydney’s second try to run out winners 20 – 12. The season got really back on track with a stunning away win at Newton Abbot. The Rackerhayes ground is never an easy place to go but the Severnsiders quickly out of the blocks were always in control of the match despite the Official awarding numerous penalties against the visitors particularly in the second half. John Barker picked up and drove over for 0 – 5 after just 5 minutes. Lydney proved dangerous every time they spun the ball, with centre Joe McClean causing the hosts all sorts of problems with his powerful runs and also making some massive hits in the tackle was very impressive all afternoon. Tries by front rowers James Pugh and Costner Lane saw the Severnsiders secure the win at 10 – 17.
October 05th and back at Regentsholme 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 visitors fielded a huge pack but the Lydney forwards were rampant and creating havoc recycling quick ball was the key to scoring some good try’s from Dave Bennet, the evergreen Tai Lakabuka and a late on try from the hard working Kurt Brown. With some good conversions from Alex Peel the hosts ran out winners 30 – 17. Next up was a day to forget for the Severnsiders as they travelled to Sidmouth. With ex player Sam Arnott getting married a number of players and management were unavailable so Captain Dave Bennet led a very youthful side with a few new faces. Lydney did not really get out of the blocks and were always chasing the game and the hosts pounced clinically on any mistakes. On a positive note the team kept going to the end despite only 14 players, scored a number of good tries and ended with a bonus point to at least have something to show for their afternoon’s endeavours at 49 – 22. Lydney then lost a close encounter down in Somerset. On a wet and windy day they dominated most of the game but some knock on’s and poor executions of play saw them go down to a narrow defeat 19 – 13. Playing with the wind and slope advantage the Severnsiders started the brighter dominating the opening encounters but after 15 minutes an Alex Peel penalty was all they had to show for their efforts. Tries by Kurt and Harry Brown were not enough as Bridgewater edged it when they had the favourable conditions in the second period.
November started well for the Severnsiders a good home win against Chew Valley was quickly followed by another away win. Cleeve is never an easy place to go but the Severnsiders quickly out of the blocks were always in control of the match despite some pressure from the hosts in the second half. A Conal Mills brace of tries ensured Lydney’s season is really back on track, with winger Tai Lakabuka adding another score to win 10 – 24. At home to Crediton saw Lydney put in a totally dominant performance against a team just one place below them in the league. With a much more setteled side and good game plan the Severnsiders are now looking a promotion side. Tries from Ryan Watling, Joe McClean, Dave Bennet, Kurt Brown and a couple each from Tai Lakabuka and Rob White was backed up by the superb boot of Tony Wicks saw the Severnisders with their biggest score for many seasons at 71 – 9.
December and Lydney travelled to table topping Devonport Services hoping to continue their recent good run. With a number of key players missing the Severnsiders were forced into some major changes giving 17 year old Riley Scriven his first team debut who had a superb game. Helped by a boisterous contingent of Severnsiders travelling fans the away side put up a battling display, only some missed opportunities and a couple of debateable decisions in the second half would cost the Severnsiders an away win. Jake Bonsor scored a brace of tries but the hosts did just enough to win 20 – 13. With two home games before the Xmas break they were must win game for Lydney to continue with their promotion push and Severnsiders did not disappoint. First up were Hornets in a very entertaining game with the score remaining close throughout the match. The Severnsiders started much the brighter a good break from Conal Mills was recycled out to winger Tai Lakabuka to score in the corner. The Severnsiders then lost young Joe Park-Davis making his debut with a serious shoulder injury but lost nothing with replacement Phil Cowburn had a superb game making some huge tackles and was excellent in attack. A forward drive created a try for Harry Brown to give Lydney the lead 15 – 10 into the second period only for Hornets to respond and lead 15 – 16. Deep into injury time the pressure finally told with Hornets penalised for offside saw Tony Wicks have a kick with the last play to win the game and the iceman did not disappoint to get the win 18 -16. Next up were Thornbury and a comfortable win, with replacement Captain James Pugh driving on the pack and Phil Cowburn marshalling the backs Lydney had the luxury to empty their bench and manage out a very convincing win delighting the large home crowd with much Christmas Cheer. Tries by Mills, Locke, Matty Williams and Tai Lakabuka plus 9 points from the boot of Tony Wicks saw the Severnsiders home at 29 – 5.
2020 opened with the local derby away to the Green Army, the Severnsiders fielded another changed but strong side to attempt the double over local rivals Newent having already won the home fixture. Welcoming back Riley Scriven in the back row, a real talent for the future and Captain John Barker back in the pack beefed up the forwards, with the tough centre Joe McClean back in, Phil Cowburn started on the bench showing the strength of the Lydney side. Tries by the excellent centre partnership of Phil Cowburn and Joe McClean plus a Conal Mills touchdown saw the Severnsiders clear at 16 – 28. January saw the Newton Abbot game but also saw the sad news of John ‘ Copper’ Morris who sadly passed away at 82, he was one of the towns greatest and longest serving players with over for 450 games for Lydney and numerous representative honours. Although at the basement of the table the visitors gave it a real go at Regentsholme and the Severnsiders needed to dig deep in a match played in proper rugby conditions of wind and driving rain. Lydney’s promotion push is really back on track with a fourth consecutive win thanks to tries from Alex Peel, young Jack Knox and a couple from Conal Mills, Tony Wicks ever reliable boot saw the hosts win 35 – 5. The month ended with Lydney travelling into Somerset looking to extend their winning run to 5 in a row at North Petherton, with both sides in promotion contention a tight game was forecast and so it proved in a thrilling encounter. Lydney fielded a strong line up with Joe McClean and Phil Cowburn forming again an impressive centre partnership, in the pack young Jack Knox formed a pacey back row with Kurt Brown and Ryan Watling. The Severnsiders had a poor first half lacking intensity and were 31 – 14 down at the break which got worse in the second half at 41 – 14 but a spirited fight back saw them get to within a score in the second period and looking the likely winners. However chasing the elusive final score to win and cement an incredible comeback a mistake gifted the hosts a further score to seal the game 46 – 35.
February saw a home game against Sidmouth, playing in very blustery conditions the visitors from Devon dominated the first period and having won at home a double looked on the cards however a complete turn of events in the second half saw them hardly get out of their own half and a rejuvenated Lydney turn the game around. Sustained pressure saw centre Joe McClean crash through numerous tackles to get the home side back in the game. A good driving run from Captain Dave Bennett was moved quickly across the backs and the impressive Joe Hamlin offloaded a deft pass to Tony Wicks to cross out wide. Another Harry Brown turnover gave quick ball to the backs to move out wide for Tai Lakabuka to beat two defenders and touch down in the corner. Good efforts by Olle Locke, Ryan Watling and youngster Riley Scriven were all stopped just short. The pressure told for the away side with numerous penalty infringements, one right in front the Severnsiders opted to kick and extended the lead out to 27 – 22 to complete a dramatic comeback. Despite Storm Dennis approaching a bumper crowd turned out at Regentsholme to see Lydney put in a totally dominant performance against Bridgewater, a team just two places below them in the league. Pick of tries were from Joe McClean, Matty Williams and Kurt Brown saw the hosts keep their first clean sheet at 42 – 0. Having played over 60 minutes to constitute a result, with the conditions getting worse and player safety a concern the Official took the correct decision to abandon the game early. A first ever away trip to Chew Valley was next, with six first team squad missing Lydney gave opportunities for second team players to stake their claim for a regular start and they did not disappoint. On paper this looked a tough tie for the Severnsiders and so it proved, managing a tight game they ran out worthy winners to strengthen their promotion push. A good dummy from Tony Wicks made ground in the Chew half and a deft pass to centre Jack O’ Connell saw him outpace the defence and run in an easy score. Tai Lakabuka added another score in the corner for 13 – 15. Lydney continued to look dangerous with newcomers Jack O’Connell looking dangerous whenever he had the ball and full back Alex Nelmes making some great tackles in defence. The Severnsiders continued to pile on the pressure, from a scrum on the 5m line saw them drive over the Chew line and the excellent James Walters touched down at the base of the scrum. Lydney then looked to manage out the game and some big hits from Harry Brown and substitute Jack Knox kept the visitors at bay to win 20 – 22.
Onto March, despite Storm Dennis being just 3 weeks ago and the Regentsholme ground and Clubhouse being under three feet of water, a huge refurbishment effort got the Clubhouse totally refurbished and the pitch playable so the pressure was on for the team to deliver and the Severnsiders did not disappoint. A bumper crowd turned out at Regentsholme to see Lydney put in a totally dominant performance against a Cleve team desperate for points to get out of the relegation scrap. This was a must win game for Lydney to continue with their promotion push and Severnsiders and with superb performances from outside half Olle Locke and full back Tony Wicks saw the hosts gain a workman like win. With further tries from Matty Williams, Mike Cross and Ryan Watling gave the hosts a second clean sheet at 41- 0. Finally in March when the deadly Corona virus hit and cancellation of all further games we can only reflect on a super season and what might have been. With just 4 matches left, games against Crediton, Devonport and Keynsham looked winnable but an away trip to Hornets whose artificial pitch is a huge advantage did look tricky. We can only reflect a reasonable haul of points would surly have seen us with promotion but sadly the current serious situation dominates everyone’s thoughts, rugby will return but for now nothing is more important than life itself. In summary our Junior sides had a very strong season, our Colts and 2nd IV being virtually unbeatable, the new Ladies side looking good and even a 3rd Senior team now formed with significant numbers the future is looking bright at Regentsholme.
On behalf of Lydney RFC, please can I stress we all follow the Government guidelines, if we all pull together, stay inside, follow the rules, help the NHS, then the sooner we will be out the other side, rugby will return but for now nothing is more important than life itself.
Stay Safe
Roger
Drive on Lyd