National Two South

Dings Crusaders 10

LYDNEY remain in the thick of the relegation scrap, but at least they finally gave their supporters something to shout about.

The Severnsiders played with a spirit that has often been lacking from their game this season, particularly at home.

There was quality too – provided by the running of Tony Wicks from deep positions and the finishing ability of Josh Hannam, when given a sniff of the line.

Wicks was outstanding, though he started the game with a horror penalty miss from a simple position in front of the sticks.

The first half was even and both sides showed signs of nerves.

Dings sides of old had a reputation for shoving the ball up their jumpers and letting the forwards take on the opposition, but they ran some good lines to open up Lydney on several occasions, with winger Sylvan Edwards and centre Sam Cox always a threat.

Buoyed by a 16th man, the large and vocal home crowd, Lydney, for once, made every last-ditch tackle.

The home side nosed in front with a 38th minute penalty from Wicks. The full-back earned the scoring opportunity for his side with a slippery break from his own half, beating half-a-dozen would-be tacklers in the process.

Wicks made it 6-0 with his second penalty six minutes after the restart but the Dings pack worked a good move to put prop Josh Lloyd over the line for a try that Burton converted.

The game hung in the balance but Lydney winger Josh Hannam gave the hosts some momentum with a fabulous finish, his 20th of the season. He collected a poor pass on the right wing and, from a standing start, had the power to bounce off two tackles in a tight space and dot the ball down with an outstretched right hand.

Wicks missed the conversion but Lydney led 11-7.

Mitch Burton kicked a penalty for Dings as Lydney lost Will Jones to the sin-bin.

The visitors upped the pace with the help of reinforcements from the bench, but Wicks made it 14-10 with his third penalty after Dings failed to release in the tackle.

A charged down kick by Will Kane set Lydney up for their killer score. From the resulting line-out Dave Bennett collected clean ball and strolled through an inviting gap to touch down. Wicks converted.

A superb long range penalty from Wicks followed, then teenage centre Josh Innes put the icing on the cake with Lydney's third try two minutes from time.

Again, Hannam provided the inspiration, collecting a high kick and bouncing off two tacklers. He still had the strength to feed the supporting Innes who, despite a slip, was able to get back on his feet and slide over the line.

This was only Lydney's second home win of the season, the other coming way back on September 3 against Hertford.

Little wonder the 600+ strong crowd greeted the victory like a cup final success.

Lydney: Tony Wicks, Josh Hannam, Luke Kell, Josh Innes, Will Kane, Curtis Russell, Dave Arnott, Steve Price, Ben Lewis, Nick Selway, Jim McMahon (capt), Jimmy Roberts, Tim Longton, Will Jones, Matt Taylor. Reps used: Dave Bennett, Lee Green, Dave Emery. Not used: James Bashford, Craig Jones.