‘Lydney outrun in Devon.’
Report and Pictures by Roger Pike
Topsham 36 Lydney 0
Lydney were back down in Devon to face second in the table Topsham and a first visit to the Bonfire field writes Roger Pike. With numerous players still unavailable Sam Arnott was forced into another shuffle around, Rowan Mullis returned to start at hooker with Jack Knox slotting into the backrow, Max Turner came in at scrum half for his debut and a bench full of pace consisted of Harvey Heaven, Aaron Esiri and Wilf Doyle-Finch, Pat Hanslow captained the side.
The hosts always play with real pace, move the ball quickly, run everything so this was going to be a much sterner test for the young Lydney side than the previous week. Despite another defensive shift from Lydney the promotion contenders proved far too good today and ran out convincing winners. It was the worst performance of the season from Lydney, a lacklustre display throughout, numerous unforced errors throughout the game resulted in hardly a scoring chance being created and the result probably did not reflect the hosts dominance.
Rallied by a large crowd the hosts dominated the opening encounters, camped in the Lydney half they created numerous chances and only a knock on from Tom Oxland stopped a certain score. A good steal from Mullis and a couple of good turnovers from Kyle Frowen kept the game scoreless after 15 minutes. The hosts were relentless and had Lydney penned in their 22m area, from a scrum the hosts drove to the line for Robin Edbrooke to score, Matin converted for 7 – 0. Topsham continued to dominate and a silly yellow card for Hodge did not help the visitors cause. The hosts made the extra man count when scrum half Furner crossed in the corner 12 – 0. Lydney did create a good opportunity from their backs passing between Price, Hamlin and Nelmes which found Dunn who was tackled in the 22m area where the hosts conceded a penalty, but the Beddis kick option went wide. The hosts dominated again and only another Frowen steal to win a penalty stopped a try. Knox was industrious in the loose and Heaven came on to add some pace at the breakdown. With virtually no scrum or line out ball Lydney created another rare opportunity with Hamlin and Dunn but another knock on followed which proved the pattern all game. The scoreline flattered the visitors but the hosts crossed again with a converted try to end the half 19 – 0.
Topsham dominated from the restart but only some real character in defence especially from Price, Heaven, Wiliams and Frowen kept the hosts out. With Zak Willims and James Bonia now both off injured Lane came back on, with Arron Esiri on the win, Knox moved to hooker and Doyle-Finch joined the backrow. The visitors continued to struggle and were conceding a penalty from every scrum, a scrum penalty saw the hosts spin the ball out to score 24 – 0. Frowen won another penalty but the touch kick to the corner missed and summed up the visitor’s day. Lydney were now holding on with last man tackles from Dunn and Frowen who had a good game but always in defence. The hosts-maintained dominance and Tucker crossed for 29 – 0. Topsham recovered the restart and were soon back on the attack, from a scrum drive the ball was spun out but a held-up decision resulted and Lydney escaped. From another scrum penalty the ball was again spun out, this time the hosts made no mistake and Tucker crossed again for a converted try to end the game 36 – 0. The scoreline flattered the visitors, but some real character showed through not to end the game with a huge defeat, but no points was disappointing especially for the visiting supporters. Much sole searching is needed before a crucial home game next week.
Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘This was the most disappointing performance during my time as Director of Rugby; we never got off the bus and were poor in every aspect. We knew it would be a tough with their quick play tactics; we had worked on a game plan but did not give ourselves a chance today and all the players agree. We need to sort things quickly in the week as another tough test follows at Regentsholme where we face Launceston.’
Lydney – James Lane, Rowan Mullis, James Bonia, Danny Hodge, Pat Hanslow©, Zak Williams, Jack Knox, Kyle Frowen, Max Turner, Charlie Beddis, Tom Rowe, Joe Hamlin, Danny Price, Brad Dunn, Alex Nelmes. Replacements, Wilf Doyle-Finch, Harvey Heaven, Aaron Esiri.
