National Two South

Redruth 36

Lydney 15

WHEN you haven't won in nine matches, a trip to Redruth is guaranteed to sort the men from the boys.

Admittedly, Lydney finished well beaten, but they showed encouraging signs to suggest they can still beat the dreaded drop.

The Severnsiders were only 10-8 down at half-time – bemoaning the fact that Redruth's first try had come from a forward pass and their second from a dubious penalty.

The day got off to a bad start with Ross Webb dropping out on the morning of the game with a stomach bug.

With Tony Wicks and Paul Scott unavailable, 17-year-old Josh Innes switched to full-back where he had an outstanding match.

Up front, prop Steve Price and Will Jones also stepped up to the plate.

Playing with a stiff wind behind them, Lydney enjoyed some good early pressure and went in front with a ninth minute penalty from Josh Innes.

Redruth broke out of defence to score a sparkling try through winger Dean Bonds, but they did not have things all their own way.

Tom Duncan bagged his 13th try of the season to put the Reds further in front, but Josh Hannam's fine run was rewarded with a try on the stroke of half-time.

Lydney were firmly in the game but they had worked incredibly hard just to stay in contention. That effort took its toll in the third quarter.

Home scrum-half Greg Goodfellow created all sorts of problems for Lydney with his sniping runs and the Redruth pack was rampant.

The Reds scored four tries in relatively rapid fashion through Jacques, Hambly, Parsons and Bonds, with Brett Rule kicking three conversions.

At least Lydney had the consolation of a second try eight minutes from time, with Tai Lakabuka grabbing a tremendous effort that Innes both created and converted.

"We are not a bad team," insisted forwards coach Don Parsons.

"I cannot knock the 19 who went down to Redruth, which included three 17-year-olds.

"Jordan Fowke made his debut and Richard Nelmes also came into the side.

"Will Jones spoke about the history between the two clubs and how much it meant to him to play in Redruth. That set the standard.

"This Saturday's match at home to Westcombe Park is a must win game for us, but I don't think we need to get too worked up about it – we just have to eradicate the mistakes.

"It's about doing the simple things well for 80 minutes, making our tackles, hitting our line-outs and not turning over the ball."

Lydney: Josh Innes, Will Kane (Luke Kell 47), Josh Hannam, Alan Bryan, Tai Lakabuka, Craig Jones, Stewart Doust, Steve Price, Ben Lewis, Nick Selway (Ashley Jennings 74), Jim McMahon (capt), James Bashford (Richard Nelmes 74), Matt Taylor, Will Jones, Dave Emery (Jordan Fowke 61). Rep not used: Nick Stoneman.