LYDNEY showed plenty of promise before being overpowered late on as Topsham claimed a 54-34 victory in the Severnsiders’ delayed opening league fixture in Devon.

New director of rugby Paul Morris named a much-changed side for the trip to Bonfire Field, with captain Reece Boughton leading a squad featuring eight debutants against one of the division’s promotion favourites.

Despite the difficult assignment, Lydney made an excellent start and controlled much of the opening hour before Topsham’s pace eventually told.

George Gladding opened the scoring after five minutes, finishing out wide before Boughton added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

Good running from Tom Rowe and Brad Dunn helped keep the hosts pinned back and Lydney soon doubled their advantage. A Topsham mistake was punished as the visitors moved the ball to Rowe, who crossed before Boughton again converted.

Topsham responded with their first try, but Lydney continued to threaten and Gladding produced the score of the afternoon. The winger kicked over the home backline, regathered the ball and beat the final defender to score beneath the posts, with the conversion making it 21-7.

The Devon side reduced the deficit deep into first-half injury time, although Lydney still went into the break with a deserved 21-14 advantage.

Boughton extended the lead with two penalties after the restart, the second struck from around the 10-metre line, as Lydney moved 27-14 ahead.

The visitors’ scrum was also earning repeated penalties and Morris’ young side appeared firmly in control.

Topsham then found the quick handling game which had made them such dangerous opponents. Two tries in rapid succession turned the contest around and gave the hosts a 28-27 lead before another score stretched their advantage to eight points.

Lydney refused to fold and Gladding completed his hat-trick with around 15 minutes remaining, bringing the visitors back to within a point at 35-34.

But the final stages belonged to Topsham. Their pace and movement stretched a tiring Lydney defence and three further tries in the closing 10 minutes carried the promotion hopefuls to a 54-34 victory.

The contest offered experience for a reshaped squad adapting to changes introduced during summer. With several combinations appearing together in league action for the first time, Lydney’s ability to establish a 13-point second-half advantage provided encouragement ahead of their next test.

Morris said he was encouraged by much of what he saw despite the final scoreline.

He said: “Really pleased with the performance, we had eight players making their debuts and thought we were in control of the game for an hour.

“However, they are a top side, and their quick movement of the ball stretched us in the last 20 minutes when the game drifted away.

“We need to sort a few things in the week as another tough test follows at Regentsholme where we face Trowbridge next Saturday.”

Lydney will now look to build on an encouraging first-hour display when they return home, with Morris’ new system and style having shown positive signs despite the opening defeat.