LYDNEY’S final game in the Regional One South West campaign saw them go down 27-15 against Royal Wooton Bassett on a six-match unbeaten run, writes Roger Pike.

Director of Rugby Sam Arnott, in his final game, was forced into changes again.

Rowan Mullis started at hooker, Jack Cuthbert returned to the second row while in the backs Max Turner and Tyerees Douglas started on the wings. James Lane, Jack Knox and Coby Scriven made a very youthful replacements bench.

With the hosts in seventh and Lydney in sixth, a win was required to reverse the placings and only a try in the last minutes secured the win to pass Lydney in the table.

With Joe Hamlin suck in a traffic issue, Ben Large started the game at outside half and forward Jack Knox came into the centre.

Playing with the wind advantage, the hosts dominated the opening encounters an from a 5m scrum they drove over for 7–0.

Knox got a head injury, so Hamlin balanced up the backline

The visitors created some good chances but lacked a cutting edge and handling errors stopped some good opportunities.

Wooton took full advantage of the wind to pbut solid defence particularly from Cuthbert and Danny Price kept them out.

A penalty made it 10-0 but Lydney then had a prolonged spell of possession.

Their only score came from a Tom Broady penalty for 10 -3.

The visitors’ forwards were on top with Kyle Frowen, Harvey Heaven and Cuthbert outstanding.

Good drives from Alfie Searls and Mullis made good ground and Bonia drive got close but the hosts the ball was turned over and the half ended.

With the wind advantage Lydney came out strongly.

Mullis, Knox and Cuthbert made huge ground, Tom Broady spun the ball out wide and man of the match Frowen collected to beat two tacklers and score in the corner for 10-8 but the hosts won a penalty from the kick-off to make it 13-8.

The visitors then had a great chance lost the ball from a line-out and Wooton went deep into the Lydney half, where only a dropped ball stopped another score.

A converted try made it 20-8 but a superb line-out catch from Heaven set up a Large break.

The recycled ball saw Rowan Mullis cut through the defence on the 22m area and score despite two tacklers around him. Broady added the easy conversion for 20-15.

The last 10 minutes were nervous as the five-point was enough for Lydney to retain sixth.

The injured Hanslow and Heaven were replaced by Lane and Scriven and solid defence from Price, Turner, Frowen and Cuthbert among many kept the Wooton.

They created a final chance too end the game 27-15. The defeat saw Lydney finish in seventh with 11 wins, two draws and 9 defeats – a very respectable season given the circumstances.

Director of Rugby Sam Arnott commented ‘Delighted with attitude the players again showed.

“It is a shame to end with a loss as I thought we deserved better, but I have really enjoyed my role over the past four years.

“I have had some great times with both the players and supporters.

“It is pleasing to end blooding some young players in the past months who have improved immensely and the future looks bright at Regentsholme.”