National Two South
Lydney 24
Henley 27
NOTORIOUS slow starters Lydney paid another heavy price for taking too long to settle.
The visiting Hawks raced into a 10-0 lead inside 10 minutes with a try from centre Danny Wells, plus a conversion and penalty from James Comben.
That meant Lydney were always playing catch-up in front of another bumper Regentsholme crowd of 561.
Yet again, the Lydney pack dominated up front, particularly in the scrums.
The pack set up a catch-and-drive 10m out and eventually number eight Paul Scott forced his way over. Brett Turner, back from injury, slotted the conversion.
Henley responded with a no-nonsense try through the middle from Comben, after hooker Penny had made a direct break. Comben's conversion made it 17-7 at half-time.
Both sides lost a man to the sin-bin just before the interval – James Bashford getting 10 minutes on the sidelines for Lydney, and Tom Stradwick departing soon after for the visitors.
Brett Turner put the first points of the second-half on the board for Lydney with a penalty.
The home forwards then battered away at the Henley line from a series of scrums. Eventually, they earned a penalty-try, Turner's conversion levelling things up at 17-17.
The visitors regained the initiative when full-back Allen raced over from a Comben break. Comben also converted.
Back came the hosts – Tony Wicks breaking through for a 66th minute try, which Turner converted.
The game was up for grabs but, with the final whistle fast approaching, Lydney strayed offside to concede a cruel penalty.
Comben broke their hearts by restoring Henley's lead at the death.
Lydney quickly regained possession from the restart and tried to mount a last-gasp attack, but Henley seized possession back and happily counted down the clock.
Lydney: Tony Wicks, Rob Sargent, Brett Turner, Doug Freeman, Charlie Vine, Craig Jones, Stewart Doust, Leigh Green, Ben Lewis, Nick Selway, James Bashford, Jim McMahon, Tim Longton, Will Jones (capt), Paul Scott. Reps: Will Kane for Doug Freeman 29mins (injury); Dave Bennett for Jim McMahon 45mins; Nick Stoneman for Leigh Green 60mins; Matt Taylor for Paul Scott 60mins; Lee Thomas for Stewart Doust 63mins.