LYDNEY captain Sam Arnott declared himself pleased with his side’s 36-9 win over county rivals Old Patesians, saying that despite the Cheltenham side’s lowly position in the league, the game ’wasn’t a foregone conclusion’.

The win helped Lydney gain ground on top side Barnstaple, who visit Regentsholme on Sunday. The Severnsiders sit in second in National Three South West, five points behind the North Devon outfit.

“We started game quite poorly and local derbies never go to plan,” Arnott said of the Old Pats game, in which he scored two late tries.

“They’re normally tight, cagey affairs but we were happy with how we held our shape and we executed well. I think every time we were in their 22 we returned with points which is pleasing.

“It looks like a three-horse race now for the title between us, Exmouth and Barnstaple, who slipped up on the weekend and come to us on Saturday.

“It’s an absolutely huge game. The lads are looking forward to it and we haven’t got any injuries at the moment. With it being at home we’re confident and we’ve just got to win all our games and keep it all in our own hands.”