SAM Arnott has hailed the young side that kept Lydney in National Three South West and says there could be more to come from the Severnsiders.

A thrilling match at Regentsholme ended with Lydney victorious over Launceston by 27-24 to relegate the Cornish All Blacks and the Lydney captain said it was a relief to end an ’unacceptable’ battle for survival.

“It was a cup final on Saturday and it was played that way,” he said.

“There were about 700 people there watching and Launceston brought a coach up but the lads came through.

“We had seven teenagers in the team and that tells you a lot about them that they came through such a pressure game.

“We dominated large parts of the game and both sides looked like they shouldn’t be at this end of this division.

“It’s a sign of the times that two clubs who were two leagues above a few years ago are in this position and just goes to show that a big reputation and history doesn’t guarantee anything.

“It’s been a massively disappointing season, unacceptable even but we have a young group of players who will only learn and improve from this experience.”