National Two South
Shelford 61
Lydney 18
THIS was a miserable day for Lydney, who were blown away by a side below them in the National Two South table.
Shelford scored eight tries in total, including five in the second half.
"Eight hours on a bus and a lesson in direct rugby is hard to take, especially after we played so well against Southend the week before," said coach Nick Bartlett.
"Shelford surprised us. They are much better than their league position would suggest – their forwards were outstanding and we couldn't cope with their running and off-loading.
"Our one-on-one tackling was very poor and we got a thumping.
"Their Kiwi number eight, Feofaaku Lea, was superb, and we couldn't cope with his ferocity."
Lydney were without scrum-half Lee Thomas, prop Nick Stoneman, winger Will Kane and hooker Ben Lewis. The latter's wife gave birth in the early hours of Saturday.
Tim Longton played at hooker, with prop Nick Selway throwing in. Selway did superbly in this facet of the game under extreme pressure.
Lydney trailed 30-18 by the break, and slipped further behind in the second period.
They blooded two 18-year-olds from the United side in the second period, Curtis Russell and Sam Chappell-Davis.
Paul Scott grabbed two first half tries for Lydney, with Brett Turner kicking two penalties and a conversion.
Lydney: Tony Wicks, Chris Holder, Brett Turner, Josh Hannam, Charlie Vine, Craig Jones, Stuart Doust, Leigh Green, Tim Longton, Nick Selway, Dave Bennett, Jim McMahon, Matt Taylor, Will Jones (capt), Paul Scott. Reps: James Bashford for Jim McMahon 46mins; Rob Sargent for Chris Holder 46mins; Curtis Russell for Craig Jones 46mins; Sam Chappell-Davis for Leigh Green 65mins. Not used: Levi Smith.