Severnsiders back on track
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Lydney 24 Thornbury 0
On a dismal wet day a good crowd turned out at Regentsholme to see Lydney put in a workman like performance to see off the visitors from Thornbury. Having a draw followed by a defeat in their last games this was a must win game for the Severnsiders to get their promotion credentials back on track and they did not disappoint. Lydney welcomed back Scottish Rugby League international Joe McClean into the centre, McClean with seven caps for Scotland gave a solid performance with outside centre Henry Sleeman to nullify any Thornbury attacks. The pack were back like the old Lydney which included two new signings in prop Harrison Fowke and hooker Ashley Howells dominating the visitors in the scrum.
The Severnsiders started much the brighter and dominated the opening encounters but with the wet conditions both sides made numerous errors and a penalty kick was missed by both sides early on. The forward pressure soon told, following a number of drives scrum half Sam Arnott darted through for the opening score, Joe Hamlin added the extras for 7 – 0. The conditions were making running rugby difficult with the ball spilt on numerous occasions. The Severnsiders had the better game plan with their dominant pack and 10 minutes before half time Harrison Fowke crashed over for 12 – 0. Thornbury responded with good pressure before half time but some solid defence by the forwards plus McClean and Sleeman in the backs kept the visitors scoreless at half time.
Lydney started the second half strongly looking to put the game out of site but with the rain still pouring down scoring for either side was going to be difficult. The home forwards continued to have the edge, on 60 minutes they set up an opportunity to spin the ball and winger Mike Cross cut through the Thornbury defence to score under the posts, Hamlin converted for 19 – 0. The visitors reverted to high kicks during the game to gain any territory but all were fielded by the faultless Alex Nelmes at full back. With the crowd now in good voice Lydney continued to dominate and the impressive flanker Harry Brown out muscled two defenders to score out wide to put the game safe at 24 – 0. The visitors never gave up but some great tackling from Scriven, Folke and Howells especially helped the hosts to finish with a clean sheet and a good afternoons work.
Director of Rugby Chris Green commented ‘delighted this was a proper Lydney performance, I thought we showed real character and a great attitude, our scrum went well and we dominated upfront. There are still things to work on, next week it will be a tough game away at Bridgewater but for sure after this performance a match we are well capable of winning’.