Sidmouth Home match report

With Lydney going for 9 wins in a row and a Sidmouth resurgence winning their last 4 games something had to give and it was Lydney who prevailed in a try feast of a game. The Severnsiders forced to make a number of changes from the previous weeks win at Thornbury saw Joe, McClean back in the centre, Nathan Tucker starting on the wing and Matt Price drafted into the second row. A strong bench of James Pugh, John Barker and Olle Locke were ready for Lydneys rotation system during the game. Despite the disruption the Severnsiders gave another good performance in difficult conditions playing some good running rugby, spinning the ball out wide all afternoon to end up deserved winners.

The hosts playing down the slope started much the brighter dominating the opening encounters and pressing the visitor’s line. Mounting pressure a score looked certain but a dropped pass in the back line saw the game remain scoreless. Further pressure saw the hosts win a number of penalties opting for scrum and lineout options. A scrum offload from Riley Scriven saw Sam Arnott skip through the defence to open the scoring, with Tony Wicks adding the conversion Lydney were ahead 7 – 0 after 10 minutes. The hosts continued to attack with forward drives and moves across the backs. On 15 minutes a good drive by Harrison Fowke saw the ball move to outside half Wicks who put in a deft cross kick for winger Nathan Tucker to collect and drop over the line to extend the lead to 12 – 0. Sidmouth then had a period of possession trying to run the ball but the solid defence saw them remain in their own half. Lydney finally managed to earn a turnover penalty and clear down into the visitors half. More pressure saw the Severnsiders move into the visitors 22m, a score looked likely but the ball was lost. From the resulting clearance kick missing touch and dropping on the half way line full back Alex Nelmes collected and scored the try of the match. Outpacing the initial cover he sold an superb dummy to break through and touch down under the posts. Wicks added the conversion and Lydney moved on to 19 – 0. Sidmouth were still trying to play some open rugby and played the next spell in the Lydney 22m area, some good defence from Hudson, Scriven, Kislingbury in the pack and McClean with Hamlin in the backs kept them out but the hoists started to concede some penalties. After another penalty conceded the official decided to yellow card Brad Kislingbury however then hosts defence still managed to keep the visitors out. Another penalty saw the official back in his pocket to give a card to Alex Nelmes and Lydney were down to just 13. The lack of players eventually told and Tom Hodge crossed in the corner, with Dan Retter converting and Sidmouth were back in the game at 19 – 7 at half time.

Despite now playing up the slope against the wind the Severnsiders tried to manage out both sin bins and they were back to full strength with the score unchanged. The hosts then started to empty their bench with fresh legs to keep the momentum in the game, big John Barker had some impressive rumbles up field. Another good break by the impressive Brad Kislingbury saw him deep in the 22m area and only a passing error denied another score. The hosts continued to press, Wicks moving the ball around at pace with another backs move saw Nathan Tucker cross for his second try and 24 – 7. The visitors having won their last four games clearly are a strong side and continued to attack with some good possession but failed to break the solid defence unit. When the Severnsiders got the ball back the attacks always looked more dangerous, with Wicks again spinning the ball out it eventually found Mike Cross whose explosive pace was too much for the defence and he scored his second try for 29 – 7 and 12 minutes left. Sidmouth refused to lie down, regathering the restart they pressed deep in the Lydney half and Rob Griffen scored, converted by Retter for 29 – 14. The visitors chasing a bonus point were throwing the ball around however an error in the backs saw the alert Joe McClean intercept and outpace the defence scoring out wide to give Lydney some breathing space at 36 – 14 with the conversion added by Olle Locke. From the restart the visitors were immediately back on the attack getting a consolation try to end the game 36 – 19.

Head Coach Dave Emery commented ‘job done, bonus point win and we move up the table, it was a good performance against an inform side but disappointed with our line out today. We need to work on this in training as we play the top sides around us in next few weeks so securing possession will be vital. Our defence was good and we scored some good tries so pleased overall with the performance. We will have a much sterner test next week away to Chew Valley in a crunch promotion clash’