Lydney faced another tough encounter against a strong Launceston side writes Roger Pike.

With several players unavailable, Director of Rugby Sam Arnott made yet another shuffle: Alfie Searls came into the front row, Jack Cuthbert returned to the back row, Aaron Esiri started on the wing, and Pat Hanslow captained the side.

Replacements included Zax Williams, James Lane, and Ben Large, returning after a lengthy injury spell. Lydney needed a response after last week’s disappointing display, and they delivered. Launceston led 21–14 at the break, but a superb second-half performance, highlighted by a hat-trick from Tom Rowe and precise kicking from Charlie Beddis, saw Lydney storm back for a deserved 27–21 win.

Playing down the slope, Launceston dominated early, keeping Lydney in their own half. A penalty led to a corner, and a catch-and-drive saw Ben Hancock score, converted by James Tucker for 0–7. Lydney responded with pressure of their own.

A Harvey Heaven lineout catch set up a Beddis break, offloaded to Danny Price, then passed to Rowe to score. Beddis converted to level at 7–7. Launceston struck back, scoring from a simple catch-and-drive, Hancock converted for 7–14.

A slick backs move then saw winger Olly Bevington cross, Tucker converting for 7–21. Lydney needed a score before half-time; a Hanslow lineout set up Rowe to cut a superb line through the centres for his second try, Beddis converting to leave it 14–21 at the break.

The second half began with the introduction of Ben Large for Hamlin. A long-range penalty from Beddis reduced the deficit to 17–21. The game became end-to-end, with Lydney’s defence, particularly Frowen, Heaven, and Price, keeping Launceston at bay.

Another penalty from Beddis made it 20–21, and an interception from Esiri prevented a certain try. Forward pressure from Knox, Cuthbert, and Bonia kept Lydney on the attack, supported by Frowen and Heaven at every breakdown. A slick sequence involving Turner, Beddis, Large, and Nelmes allowed Rowe to complete his hat-trick in the corner, Beddis converting for 27–21.

In the final minutes, Launceston piled on pressure. Max Turner’s brilliant tackle on Hancock prevented a late try, and the defensive efforts of Knox, Hanslow, Large, and Cuthbert kept the visitors out. Rowe’s pace, Beddis’ kicking, and man-of-the-match Harvey Heaven’s all-round performance were decisive in securing the win over Launceston

Arnott said: ‘We needed a response after last week, they are a good side, were competitive throughout, we gave away a few unnecessary penalties in the first half and they took full advantage. However the character of the side is exceptional and showed today in attack and defence, we dominated the second half to get a deserved win, another tough test follows away at Marlborough in two weeks’ time.’

The Bledisloe Club completed the double over the visitors to keep them in the top half of the table thanks to a superb team display showing some real character, the challenge now is to win their final three games.