A delayed journey (5 hours on the coach due to unpredicted late holiday traffic on the A30 and an accident on the M5 at Taunton) meant the Saints challenges started much earlier than usual on this visit to Lydney RFC in the Forest of Dean. The coach eventually pulled in to the ‘Severnsiders’ car park at 2.25pm (for a 3pm KO). The referee was sympathetic to our request on arrival to delay KO until 3.15pm and a hurried warm up was completed.

Saint’s Fly Half Matt Shepherd, resplendent in the brand new predominately blue change strip for this season, got the game underway and within the first minute Saints find themselves with a penalty that Shepherd kicks to the Lydney 5m line and the catch and drive is on. The line out held but the maul collapsed so it went into phases, until Shepherd jinked his way over then added the conversion. 0-7 after 2 minutes and the sizeable and vocal crowd quietened down for a moment.

The first scrum came after 5 minutes, always a nervous moment in any game in Gloucestershire, and Saints dominated it, although the Lydney 8 Reilly Scriven, a player that performed strongly throughout the game, managed to scrabble it away. Lydney were now on their first attack and it goes wide but Saints defence held. Saints starting to pick up infringements for holding on which meant some pressure being built by Lydney. In a frantic defence on the far wing, Danny Tyrrell picked up a yellow for coming in at the side. This pressure was relieved when the Saints turned over the next scrum. Something that would happen another half dozen times in this fixture, and Shepherd cleared with the boot.

Play moved into the Lydney half and Saints earn a Line out on the 10m line. The Line out was good but again the maul was pulled down on the blindside forcing CJ Boyce to spin to Shepherd, who brings Outside Centre Konnor Ewudzi into the game He is tackled but earns a penalty which Shepherd converts into 3 points. 0-10 after 10 minutes.

Play moves into the middle of the pitch and each side takes it in turns to try and find holes in the defences. No 8 Kyle Marriott knocks on but the ref is blindsided which only makes the home supporters more vocal. Lydney push up into the Saints half and earn a scrum in the 22. They held this time, allowing a stable platform for Scriven to pick, dummy and go route 1 under the posts to score. Lydney no. 10 Joe Hamlin adds 2. 7-10 after 26 minutes.

Saint were then getting penalised at most breakdowns. One was within range so Hamlin adds another 3 to level the scores 10-10 after 29 minutes.

Saints bounce back as the ball moves right and wide quickly leaving Nottle pretty much open but the pass goes to his fingertips and he can’t hang on as it goes into touch. Another penalty this time is tapped quickly by Lydney and they make good ground back into the Saints half. Lydney pile on the pressure keeping Saints busy in defence until Shepherd tackles a Lydney player and rips the ball in the process. This left Lydney a bit flat footed as they scrabbled to reorganise and Shepherd sped through the middle beating three to then time a pass to 14 Fraser Nottle who went over unchallenged. Shepherd just narrowly missed the conversion. 10-15 after 36 minutes.

The last 4 minutes of the half were frantic as Lydney upped their work rate, tackling very enthusiastically and seeking opportunities, until Lock Adam Kellow was adjudged to have tackled high, giving Hamlin a chance to drag 3 points back, which he did. Half time 13-15.

The frantic pace continued at the start of the second half with Lydney attacking. Kellow buys some breathing space by stealing the ball but Shepherd’s clearance goes straight out, dragging play back into the Saints half. Lydney win the lineout but Saints knock on which led to a scrum that Saints utterly dominated, earning a penalty as Lydney were pushed backwards and broke bindings. From that lineout another Saints knock on led to another scrum turnover for the Saints. By now play has moved into the Lydney 22 and they stray offside. The penalty is tapped quickly and, eventually, Marriott gets the ball over the line. Shepherd adds 2 to make it 13-22 after 48 minutes.

The scrum dominance continues as the tide of play starts to favour the Saints more, despite continual penalties being awarded against them for a range of offences. Nottle has a good gallop down the right wing, making 25m, but is tackled and knocks on. Lydney manage to clear from the boot up field to the Saints 22 where another penalty gives Hamlin a chance to add 3, which he does with ease. 16-22 after 59 minutes.

Max Bullen comes on for Tyrrell with 19 minutes left. Lydney have established themselves in the Saints 22 which was proving difficult to vacate. The Saints defence is holding but you feel like it’s a matter of time before Lydney convert all this effort into points. Ewudzi now earns a yellow for a high tackle and Lydney make a decision to kick to touch. It’s one of those line outs that can go wrong purely because of how important it is and it does, the ball going long and over everyone’s heads, allowing Shepherd to gather and lick to halfway.

The next scrum leaves a Lydney forward 3 meters behind on the ground and the ref awards a penalty, which takes the Saints to the Lydney 10m line. From the scrum Kellow marauds down the field drawing defenders in until he pops to Shepherd who runs it in for a try. He then adds the conversion to make it 16-29 after 71 minutes. This gives Marriott an opportunity to give himself and Prop Kyle Gallacher a break, offering Matt Boothby his Saints debut and Joe Maunder a chance to get in the action.

Nottle has another blistering run down the wing, from half way to the try line flag, but he is thwarted by a last ditch tackle and into touch. Lydney then, if possible, turn up the intensity another notch and they are back in the Saints 22, throwing everything at the Saints defence, but it still holds. Lock Andy Inch gets a yellow for a hand in the ruck, something he disputed on arrival at the dug out. Lydney spin it out wide and the winger seems to be free and over, until the Lydney linesman raises his flag for a foot in touch. From that lineout, Saints go into a maul until Shepherd asks for the ball and out it goes to touch and the end of the game. Full time Lydney 16 St Austell 29.

Score line and hassles of the journey aside, and as Kyle Marriott stated in the after match huddle, if you wanted to see intensity and passion from a team, then the defence in the last ten minutes of this fixture were where that was demonstrated in buckets. Lydney are no slouches by any means and a very physical side. The Saints gave an excellent report of themselves throughout the day.

Next up is League high-flyers Newent who visit us at Tregorrick next Saturday 25th September with a 3pm KO. Bar is open from 12.30pm and its going to be a busy one again, in terms of the car park, get here early!

Things to remind you about

Pre-Match Lunches – All pre-match lunches have sold out up until Xmas. Reserve lists are now running for all of them. We will be releasing the next batch of lunches for the post-Xmas period in mid-October. More details on how to get on the reserve list are HERE.

New Wine List - We’ve sourced some fantastic wines for you to enjoy with lunch or at any time and at prices that won’t be beaten. Wine lists around the building.

Senior Players Award Scheme (SPAS) – Some have already received their cap and/or tie to recognise their senior playing efforts. If you are an ex-senior St Austell RFC players and don’t know what we are talking about, please click HERE and have a read.

We will be holding the next awards ceremony on Saturday 25th September at 5pm, straight after the Saints v Newent game. The article listing all those who have awards to pick up is HERE. If you are on the list but can’t make it, please let me or any of the Exec, or Miles/Kyle know. We will be having another one a bit later in the season.

Non-playing membership – Become a VP, Cardinal or ‘Supporter’ member and enjoy a raft of newly defined benefits, such as, for VP and Cardinal, your first couple of pints on us, entry into a free prize draw for a bottle of spirits at each Saints home game, function room discounts, discounted bar events, access to international tickets and more. Something exclusive to the VP package is a superb new ‘VP’ tie, in the new senior players award scheme colours. It really is worth becoming a member this season! Have a read for yourself by clicking HERE

The ‘Buy a Brick’ 2021/22 Campaign - An exciting new opportunity to become, literally, part of the club for the 2021-2022 season. The new Saints supporters board is now in place on the walls that wrap pour main staircase, for everyone who enters the club to see, smile at and admire the humour and outright affection at this fantastic club! It’s just £25 for a single brick (if you join as a VP member then you get a brick as part of the fee), or £100 for a 4xbrick for businesses to use to show their support whilst highlighting their brand and presence. Bags of room for humour in this, with up to 4 lines per brick to get that message out there. More details HERE .

Walking Rugby - Everyone is welcome to come throw the egg-shaped ball around at a walking pace. Very simple rules with lots of laughs so it suits the complete and utter novice as much as the seasoned player. Fridays they meet at 6.20pm by the stand to get sorted to start at 6.30pm. Just wear something you can move easily around in and some trainers. More Details HERE

The 100 Club is an amazing and simple way to support the club. For just £5 a month you get to enter and win one of 3 cash prizes. It’s easy to enter so to find out more please click HERE