National Two South

Clifton 22

FULL-BACK Tony Wicks was Lydney's hero, kicking a 40m penalty two minutes from time to see off Clifton's brave second-half fight back.

Wicks, nicknamed Flash, only took over the kicking duties 12 minutes into the second-half, after Brett Turner left the field with sciatica.

Lydney hooker Ben Lewis said: "Fair play to him, he was under pressure but it was a great kick.

"He took over the kicking duties when Brett went off last week, and he said afterwards that probably helped him on Saturday."

Lydney dominated the first period and led 20-3 at the interval with a penalty-try plus touchdowns from Wicks and Nick Stoneman. Brett Turner slotted one conversion and a penalty.

Wicks raced in from a clever Craig Jones kick to start the ball rolling.

The penalty-try was awarded when Clifton pulled down a driving maul that was heading straight for the line.

With Paul Fincken in the sin-bin, Lydney drove home their advantage – prop Nick Stoneman going over from the final play of the half.

It was a different story after the break as Lydney changed their shirts and Clifton changed their outlook.

Clifton's Dave Cook forced his way over for a try and a penalty-try soon followed, with Lydney's Matt Taylor sent to the sin-bin for pulling down a 5m scrum.

It got worse when Ben Lewis joined him on the sidelines for not releasing in the tackle.

Clifton capitalised on their numerical advantage in the set pieces to get some powerful drives going.

Cook went over for his second try four minutes from time and Ashwin's conversion gave the visitors a 22-20 lead.

Lydney won their first penalty of the half two minutes from time and Wicks stepped up to land the crucial long range kick.

Ben Lewis added: "We had chances to be further in front in the first-half, but didn't take them.

"We also had chances in the second-half, but made mistakes.

"I wouldn't say we were relaxed at half-time, but we were confident.

"We had most of the ball in the first period, but couldn't get our hands on it after the break.

"Clifton clearly wanted to win and threw everything at us."

Lydney: Tony Wicks, Chris Holder, Brett Turner (rep Dougie Freeman 52), Josh Hannam, Charlie Vine (capt), Craig Jones, Lee Thomas, Nick Stoneman, Ben Lewis, Leigh Green, James Bashford (rep Dave Bennett 58), Jim McMahon, Tim Longton, Matt Taylor, Paul Scott (rep Dave Emery 65). Other reps: Nick Selway (rep Freeman 72), Danny Chui. Attendance: 325