National Two South

Old Albanians 43

TWO tries in the final 10 minutes gave Old Albanians a flattering margin of victory.

However, Lydney coach Nick Bartlett had few complaints about the result, his side's third defeat in a row.

He said: "Old Albanians are a strong club with a nice set-up and a link to the Saracens Academy.

"I was reasonably pleased with the way we played, but the game was over by the time they scored those two late tries.

"We wanted to start well and it was 17-13 when we lost concentration just before the break and let them in.

"That was our biggest problem, losing concentration for spells of the game. When you do that against decent sides they take advantage."

Lydney went ahead in the 13th minute when centre Brett Turner intercepted a pass and went over, adding the conversion himself.

Turner slotted two first-half penalties, but tries from Ellershaw, Lincoln and Gregg – plus three conversions and a penalty from Gregg – gave the home side a healthy 24-10 half-time lead.

Lydney went further behind a minute after the restart when Adams went over and Gregg converted.

Adams and James wrapped up victory with late touchdowns, Gregg converting one for a personal haul of 18 points. Bartlett added: "In many areas of the game we contained them.

"I don't want things to peter out in March and April just because we've got 44 points and are probably safe.

"We're lucky to be in a position we've not been in for a few years, but I want to pick off a few sides above us in the table as well as those below us."

Bartlett says he also wants to see young players develop during the remainder of the season.

He said: "We're a young side and some players are still getting used to this level. Take Nick Selway, his work rate is improving and he's done very well in the last couple of weeks.

"There are a couple of players doing well in the second XV such as Curtis Russell, a young fly-half, so maybe we need to have a look at them."

Lydney: Tony Wicks, Rob Sargent, Brett Turner, Josh Hannam, Charlie Vine, Craig Jones, Lee Thomas, Nick Stoneman, Ben Lewis, Nick Selway, Dave Bennett, James Bashford, Tim Longton, Will Jones (capt), Matt Taylor. Reps: Paul Scott for Will Jones 46mins, James McMahon for James Bashford 57mins, Leigh Green for Nick Selway 60mins, Will Kane for Rob Sargent 60mins, Stewart Doust for Tony Wicks 77mins, Nick Selway for Ben Lewis (front-row injury) 78 mins.