National Two South

Hartpury 46

LYDNEY'S Jim McMahon and Andy Jarrett were both sent off along with Hartpury's Harry Casson in this feisty encounter at Regentsholme.

Both Lydney players felt aggrieved to get their marching orders in the 66th minute.

"I didn't see the incident but I have seen the video and I'm surprised we received two reds," said Lydney coach Duncan Bell.

"I'm not surprised their guy was sent off.

"That's not to say the officials saw something that was not picked up on the video, but AJ (Jarrett) insists he was trying to split people up and didn't throw any punches.

"The ref says he saw a flurry of punches, so I just don't know."

Hartpury's superior speed and finishing was the big difference between the two teams.

They were leading 25-9 before the sending offs, but stretched clear with an extra man and more space on the park. They scored seven tries in total through Alex O'Meara, Callum O'Connell (2), Dylan Rodrigues, Stefan Reynolds and Sean Marsden (2). Luke Cozens booted four conversions and a penalty.

For Lydney, Tony Wicks kicked three penalties and converted a 75th minute Dave Bennett try. The hard-working second-row broke through two tackles for his late consolation score.

Lydney's Ben Lewis and Hartpury's Darren Crompton were also sin-binned during the match.

Bell said: "Hartpury are a quality side and it's frustrating we didn't stick to our gameplan.

"Our set pieces were exceptional, but our kicking let us down. We didn't kick into space and we didn't kick long enough. Against a back three like theirs you cannot get away with it.

"It's hard going but we are a third of the way into the season and cannot keep making excuses.

"We've got a week off this week to rest a few sore bodies but we need to start playing for 80 minutes and we need to start picking up points."

Lydney are still trying to strengthen their squad and have brought in Mike Dodge, an outside-half from Worcester who has been playing in France until recently.

Lydney: Tony Wicks, Morgan Goodhall (Matt Gore 69), Chris Holder, Danny Chui, Alex Hall, Curtis Russell, Matt Williams, Adam Ledner, Ben Lewis, Sam Winchcombe (Andy Jarrett 59), James Connors, Dave Bennett, Matt Taylor (capt, James Thorne 67), Tim Longton, Jim McMahon. Jake Fields rep McMahon 19-27 mins and Lewis 56 mins. Rep not used: Chris Farrell.