National Two South

Southend 20

Lydney 13

BEFORE the game, coach Duncan Bell says he might have taken a losing bonus point if offered it.

After the match, however, his feelings were very different.

"We could easily have come away with the win and I'm annoyed that we didn't," he said.

"It all boiled down to a bounce of the ball here and a decision there. I felt we were worth at least a draw."

The home side opened the scoring on 13 minutes when Cleare scored an unconverted try wide out.

Lydney lost prop Sam Winchcombe to injury in the second minute, but Andy Jarrett came on and helped the visitors to dominate in the scrum.

Tony Wicks kicked a penalty as Lydney trailed 5-3 at the break.

In the second half Lydney turned down a kickable penalty and opted for a scrum. They shoved the Southend pack back over their own line and Charlie Daniel got the touchdown, which Wicks converted.

A Macgeachy penalty and a try from Bailey put the hosts 15-10 up.

Wicks landed a second penalty, but Southend had the final say when Driver raced down the wing to get the killer score.

Coach Bell said: "We lost against Canterbury last week because of our line-out – we won just three out of 15.

"We were much better in the forwards this week and Andy Jarrett was very effective.

"I also think Nudge (Ben Lewis) deserves credit because I've played him at hooker and loosehead prop and he doesn't question me, he just gets on with it. He's a great team man and on top of that a very good player."

Bell admits he is still fighting his own demons over whether to play himself or not.

He added: "It's catch 22. I can't see what's happening when I'm on the field and I want to be a coach. I hurt everywhere and am not getting any younger.

"Having said that, I know I can still operate at this level."

Lydney host Worthing this Saturday and Bell sees no reason why his side can't cause an upset.

He said: "I don't like rolling over and my boys know that.

"We've got a thin squad, but we've got some good, ambitious guys."

Lydney: Tony Wicks, Chris Holder, Josh Innes, Lewis Beer, Luke Kell, Curtis Russell, Jason Graham, Adam Ledner, Ben Lewis, Sam Winchcombe, Jim McMahon, Dave Bennett, Pete Butcher, Matt Taylor (capt), Charlie Daniel. Reps: Andy Jarrett, Ryan Hall, Sam Fisher, Duncan Bell. Not used: Alex Hall.