National Two South

Barnes 8

SUPPORTERS and players hugged at the final whistle as the Regentsholme PA system blasted out the theme tune from The Great Escape.

The soundtrack to the classic Steve McQueen film didn't just sum up Lydney's season, it summed up this match.

Bottom of the league Barnes were the better side, certainly in the second half, and had two tries controversially disallowed for forward passes. They also had another try ruled out because the ref couldn't tell whether the ball had been grounded or not.

The only thing going for Lydney was their pack – who bossed the scrums and powerfully shoved back their opponents with the driving maul.

Two early Josh Hannam breaks brought the bumper crowd of 530 to life. The second of those earned the hosts a penalty, which Tony Wicks slotted.

It got even better on 12 minutes when prop Nick Selway's thumping tackle forced Barnes to panic in possession. Lydney winger Will Kane coolly intercepted a loose pass and raced from deep inside his half to score under the posts, leaving Wicks an easy conversion.

Wicks was denied a touchdown himself by a try-saving tackle, but the longer the half wore on the more Barnes grew in confidence.

Lydney's sloppiness allowed Barnes to work an overlap on the right wing, which Huw Bevan took full advantage of.

Towards the end of the first half, Bevan broke through again, only for the try to be disallowed for a forward pass.

The Lydney crowd grew frustrated in the second half as Barnes played with more heart.

Gower cut the deficit to 10-8 with a penalty as the hosts became jittery, tossing the ball around like it was a hot potato and repeatedly missing touch with their kicks.

It was only when the forwards kept it tight that Lydney gained any control.

Barnes had two more tries ruled out before Lydney gave themselves some breathing space with a 75th minute penalty from Wicks, after more good driving play from the pack.

Lydney's eight took full control in the dying moments and soon had Barnes back-pedalling again.

They pushed the visitors over their own line and replacement number eight Dave Emery fell on the ball for the match-settling try.

Cue the Great Escape and images of Steve McQueen jumping barbed wire fences on a motorbike.

Had those Barnes tries been allowed to stand, however, the boys on the loudspeaker might have found themselves scrabbling around for an alternative soundtrack to the season.

Lydney: Tony Wicks, Josh Hannam, Luke Kell, Josh Innes, Will Kane, Curtis Russell (Alan Bryan 70), Dave Arnott, Steve Price (Lee Green 57), Ben Lewis, Nick Selway, Jimmy Roberts (James Bashford 67), Dave Bennett, Tim Longton, Matt Taylor, Jim McMahon (capt, Dave Emery 67). Rep not used: Kami Nakove.