National Two South

Launceston 17

THIS was injury-ravaged Lydney's ninth consecutive defeat, but skipper Matt Taylor insists his side are not National Two South whipping boys.

Without Josh Innes, Charlie Daniel, Duncan Bell, Jason Graham, Jake Fields, Luke Kell, Will Jones, James Tyas and Andy Jarrett, Lydney were always going to be up against it.

Taylor said: "It's devastating to go so close. It was always going to be a bit of a challenge with so many players out, but the boys who came in did really well.

"I suppose a losing bonus point is not such a bad effort, but this was a game we targeted to win."

Six of Lydney's last seven defeats have been by a margin of eight points or less and Taylor says key decisions going against them and the odd unkind bounce of the ball have often been the only difference between winning and losing.

He added: "Last year we tailed off, but this season I think we are improving every week. We still believe we can beat anyone."

Tony Wicks kicked four penalties against the Cornish All Blacks, but the hosts ran in two tries through Mike Rawlings and Josh Lord, with Kieron Lewitt adding two conversions and a penalty.

Lydney's set pieces were solid but they struggled to break down Launceston's defence.

Taylor said: "We gave away a soft try early on.

"At times we lose composure in our own 22 – we tend to panic a bit and try to do things off the first, second or third phase instead of being patient.

"But Duncan Bell is not afraid to give young players a go and this week the likes of Matt Williams came in and stood up.

"We've got Hartpury College this Saturday which is another tough game, but we should get some players back. Hopefully the Lydney crowd will get behind us to give us a 16th man."

Lydney: Tony Wicks, Morgan Goodhall, Chris Holder, Danny Chui, Alex Hall, Curtis Russell, Matt Williams, Adam Ledner, Ben Lewis, Sam Winchcombe (Dan Allison 50), Dave Bennett, Jim McMahon, Tim Longton, James Thorne, Matt Taylor (capt). Reps not used: Chris Farrell, Shaun Bartlett, Matthew Gore, Elliot Clarke.