National Two South

Southend 62

STEVE Price was yellow carded for trying to trip the referee on a bad day for Lydney in Southend.

Price went to the sin-bin in the 11th minute, with James Bashford following a minute later for abusing a touch judge.

Down to 13 men, Lydney handed the initiative to the hosts, who took full advantage with six tries inside the opening 25 minutes. They led 36-17 at half-time.

Lydney went in front through a Craig Jones penalty after Southend surprisingly elected to play into a low sun.

Southend soon took control of the game following those two yellow cards with a flurry of tries.

In the second half Lydney lost Craig Jones to a dead leg as the home side ran in four more touchdowns.

Lydney, to their credit, contributed much to an entertaining spectacle, gaining seven penalties in the opposition's half but failing to make the most of those opportunities.

Lydney's player of the season Josh Hannam showed his finishing prowess with a hat-trick of tries, taking his tally for the season to 12. The winger clinched the bonus point with a 78th minute effort.

Prop Nick Selway was Lydney's other try scorer, with Craig Jones kicking two conversions and a penalty, and Alan Bryan one conversion.

Openside flanker Tim Longton was also outstanding for Lydney, working incredibly hard in the loose for the whole 80 minutes.

Lydney: Chris Holder, Josh Hannam, Alan Bryan, Ross Webb (Stewart Doust 51), Tai Lakabuka, Craig Jones (Jack O'Connell 56), Will Kane, Steve Price (Sam Chapell-Davis 61), Ben Lewis, Nick Selway, Dave Bennett, James Bashford (Lance Randell 51), Paul Scott, Tim Longton, Jim McMahon (capt, Dave Emery 58).