National Two South

Lydney 34

Barking 10

TOUGHER tests certainly lie ahead – starting with Henley away this Saturday – but Lydney's new-look side could hardly have done more than crush Barking by six tries to one.

Ironically, four of those tries came in a 16 minute spell at the start of the second half, a time when Lydney are notorious for conceding points.

A lot has changed at Regentsholme since Chris Holder last played in December.

The full-back, returning from injury, said the mood in the camp was positive with the players keen to surprise those who have written them off.

"Duncan Bell's come in with a fresh approach and he's got some great ideas," said Holder.

"It was always comfortable on Saturday and it helped that we scored early.

"Conditions were perfect for running rugby. We've basically got a brand new team and it's a very young team. Things have really come together in the past few weeks."

Holder had a hand in Lydney's opening score, collecting the ball off Dave Bennett and sending Alex Hall over the line.

On 33 minutes Curtis Russell made a break and found Matt Taylor in support. He drew the Barking full-back to give Josh Innes a clear run-in. Russell converted.

Innes scored again early in the second half after Russell capitalised on more poor defending by the visitors.

Winger Hall grabbed his second try of the match with a good burst of speed, then Jim McMahon emerged from the bottom of a driving maul with the ball for Lydney's fifth try.

Charlie Daniel rounded off a terrific afternoon for the Severnsiders with the sixth try.

Russell was only able to add one more conversion, but it was academic.

Bell was able to watch from the touchline for most of the match as new prop Sam Winchcombe stepped up from junior club rugby with aplomb. Winchcombe was at University in Stoke but recently returned to the Cheltenham area where he was playing socially for Cheltenham Saracens.

Lydney: Chris Holder, Kami Nakove, Josh Innes, Lewis Beer, Alex Hall, Curtis Russell, Jason Graham, Sam Winchcombe, Ben Lewis, Andy Jarrett, Jim McMahon, Dave Bennett, Matt Taylor (capt), Tim Longton, Peter Butcher. Reps: Sam Fisher (for Jarrett, 52), Duncan Bell (for Lewis, 72), Charlie Daniel (for Longton, 52), Ben Taylor (for Bennett, 58), Luke Kell.