Lydney 1st XV 14 - 20 Weston 1st XV

After heavy overnight rain the pitch at Lydney was made just playable by the hard work of the groundstaff, nevertheless it was very slippery and heavy underfoot and a sharp shower of rain just before kick off raised some question as to whether the game could be played.

The Weston side were led out by Andy Glen on his 300th first team appearance, and the partisan crowd gave him a warm round of applause for this fine achievement.

After a couple of missed tackles and a knock on Weston asserted themselves and carried well into Lydney territory and snuffed out the threat from Lydney’s mobile pack who picked and carried. Their scrum half ran quick ball but the Weston tackling was swift and very robust and Lydney could make no ground.

On 27 minutes Lydney infringed as Weston were working forward with good momentum and James MacKay slotted the kick for a 3 point lead. Ten minutes later he was on hand to kick another penalty, this time from further and wider out but his aim was good and Weston approached half time with a six point cushion.

Right on the stroke of half time Weston were adjudged to have gone off their feet at a maul and Lydney fly half Lock attempted a shot at goal from the penalty but his effort went just wide.

Weston kicked off the second half and regained possession from the kick and worked through the forwards towards the Lydney 22. Robbie MacKay was put into space by fellow centre Nel, and he score under the posts. James MacKay kicked the conversion and Weston had opened up a 13 point lead with barely two minutes of the half gone.

Weston continued to dominate and their defence was very solid, often driving Lydney backwards and following a great turnover Robbie Mackay broke through again. This time he put left wing Matt Watkins away and as he rounded to try to get closer to the posts he put a foot over the dead ball line and what looked like a certain try was not given. The Lydney scrum half showed great awareness as he took a very quick 22 drop out and within 30 seconds Lydney had opened their account with a try from Ryan Watlin converted by Lock.

This raised Lydney’s spirits and they used their tried and tested pick and drive forward play to get close to and then over the Weston line for their second try by John Barker. Although disputed by the Weston pack who believed that the ball had been knocked on the try stood, was converted by Lock and Lydney, somewhat against the run of play had taken the lead by 14- 13 with under 20 minutes left on the clock.
Weston held their nerve and another great break out by Robbie mackay saw him pass the ball to full back Chris Young who looked certain to score in the corner but Weston hopes were dashed by a quite brilliant try saving tackle by Lydney. Weston quickly regained possession and Crossman suddenly saw a gap and ran through a crowd of Lydney forawrds to score Weston’s second try. James Mackay made the conversion and despite a valiant effort from the Lydney players in the dying moments of the game, Weston’s defence remained secure and a final turnover saw them drive towards the Lydney line. The move broke down but the scrum was awarded to Weston and with time gone James MacKay kicked for touch and the ref blew for full time with Weston deserved winners at Lydney’s home ground, no mean feat as many travelling sides have found to their cost.

With other results going in Weston’s favour, and with a few games postponed, Weston move up to ninth place. They now have two home games in successive weeks and will need to keep up this determined form if they are to be certain of keeping out of the relegation zone.