National Two South

Lydney 26

WHEN you're down at the bottom you seldom get the breaks you deserve.

Leading 26-20 with 80 minutes up on the clock, Lydney conceded a controversial try from the very last play of the game.

Jamie Salter went over for the crucial score, with Kieron Lewitt's conversion settling the outcome in Launceston's favour, but Lydney's coaches and players were incensed by a knock-on in the build-up that went unseen.

Lydney director of rugby Nick Bartlett said: "We were so unlucky. The ref didn't see the knock-on which would have ended the game.

"We were more like the Lydney of old, we played with some dogged determination and a lot of the motivation came from the players, who were hyped up and tuned in.

"Launceston is a hostile place to play but in the second half we were immense, especially our back-row of Will Jones, Tim Longton (pictured) and Matt Taylor."

Scrum-half Dave Arnott gave Lydney an early lead with a drop-goal but the hosts struck back with two Richard Bright tries inside 10 minutes, which were both converted by Lewitt.

A Josh Hannam try and a Tony Wicks penalty made it 14-11 to Launceston at the break.

In the second half Lydney got on top of their opponents and further tries from Wicks and Hannam put the visitors 26-17 up with 14 minutes to go.

A Lewitt penalty brought the Cornish All Blacks to within a score, then the same player banged over the deciding conversion after Salter had crossed the line in the last minute.

Bartlett added: "It was such a shame to lose, especially in that manner. Time was up and they had no other option but to run the ball.

"I don't like blaming refs but the big decisions haven't gone our way this season."

Lydney: Tony Wicks, Josh Hannam, Luke Kell, Josh Innes, Alan Bryan (Will Kane 40), Curtis Russell, Dave Arnott, Steve Price, Ben Lewis, Nick Selway, Jimmy Roberts, Jim McMahon (James Bashford 40), Tim Longton, Will Jones, Matt Taylor. Reps not used: Dave Emery, Craig Jones, Lee Green.