Bonus Point victory for Seasiders over Severnsiders

Weston entertained old rivals Lydney at the Rec and this armistice day fixture began with a minutes silence.
Weston started the game at great pace and applied early pressure. A lineout well inside Lydney’s 22 resulted in a series of forward drives by Weston and it was returning hooker Mike Hocking, making his 65th first team appearance who touched down for the home side’s first try with jt five minutes on the clock. Dickson got the conversion and Weston remained in control and continued to exert pressure from the restart.
Lydney defended well but were undone for a second time as the Weston forwards took advantage of a maul just 8 metres out and Hocking touched down for his second. With Dickson’s conversion straight between the posts Weston had a lead of 14 – 0 with less than 20 minutes gone.
Weston controlled the ball from the restart and stretched the Lydney defence on the left wing, then in the middle of the park and finally on the left wing where Morgan was on hand to pick up Weston’s third try. Dickson’s conversion from near the touchline was good and Weston had secured a convincing lead.
Lydney managed to build some momentum and laid siege to the Weston line. Weston conceded a penalty but the kick at goal went just wide. Lydney regained possession and drove at the Weston line but the home side’s defence was accurate and clinical and eventually they turned the ball over and kicked for territory. The ref blew for half time following a fgood Weston attack which nearly resulted in a try but for a handling error.
Lydney sprung a surprise very early in the second half and their winger was put away and scored in the corner. The conversion attempt hit the upright and Weston’s supporters feared another period of poor concentration but Weston were keenly aware of how frail their defence has been after the interval in a number of games and they struck back with a piece of extraordinary individual brilliance. A speculative long kick from Lydney was fielded deep in Weston’s half by wing Robbie MacKay who accelerated past three Lydney players following up the kick and then MacKay went on a rapid and swerving run as he picked a path through Lydney’s scattered defence and he streaked away to score Weston’s bonus point try under the posts. Dickson made the simple conversion.
Lydney replied with a rapid cahnge of focus and they scored their second try in the corner to pull back to 28-10.
This score against the run of play seemed to irritate Weston who played with increased intensity and speed. They stretched the Lydney defence with every move and a sweeping move by Weston’s backs was completed with a sweet dummy from full back Jones who had come into the line and he scored Weston’s fifth try, converted by Dickson.
From the restart Weston attacked again and a delightful exchange of passes between James and Robbie MacKay saw James get past the last line of defence and score under the posts. Dickson converted and Weston’s score had passed 40.
Weston were in full control and with a penalty kicked to the touchline Weston set up a series of forward drives and Ash Russell scored Weston’s sixth try. Dickson hit his sixth conversion. The home side rounded off their scoring with another powerful set of forward drives and Mike Hocking touched down for Weston’s seventh try completing his hat trick. Dickson’s conversion drifted just wide but Weston had topped 50 points.
In time added on Lydney took a rare opportunity and scored their third try and the referee ended proceedings with Weston convincing and deserved winners by 54 to 17.
This win over Lydney was Weston’s first victory over the Gloucester side since 1993, and with a bonus point Weston improved their league position to seventh.