Rugby Lions somehow managed to present Lydney with a much-needed win with a dismal second half performance after looking home and dry at half time.

A couple of early penalties were exchanged before Harry Owens strolled over for a simple looking try following a strong run from Tom Cheney. Owens converted his own try before adding a further two penalties. Davies replied for the hosts with a couple of penalties before Ade Hales scored a memorable try. He fielded a chip ahead deep into his own 22 and set off on a typical run. Parker continued the move into Lydney’s half before slipping the ball to Matt Goode. As he took the tackle he looked round for support and it was Hales on his shoulder. Despite having two men on his tail, he was not going to be denied and touched down by the uprights. Owens converted, and Lion’s had built up a sizeable lead.

Hales limped off at the break and was replaced by young Toby Rochester. Jekyll was also replaced by Mr. Hyde in the Rugby line-up.

The players must have thought the game was won and switched off mentally big time. Their game went to pieces and they were unable to retain the ball, losing countless turnovers in the maul to Lydney’s diminutive pack. You could sense the home side’s confidence increasing with all the possession they enjoyed, and play was confined almost entirely to Rugby’s half.

Despite having little cutting edge, the pressure was bound to tell, and Lydney’s Jenkins pounced on the ball over the try line after Rinaldi lost the ball in the tackle. Davies converted to reduce the deficit to seven points.

On a rare excursion into home territory, Rugby won a penalty almost on the half way line. Owens, who had been kicking superbly, struck it well and it looked to be sailing over until it rebounded off the upright.

Back came Lydney and following a scrum, Davies put Holder over in the corner. The conversion to tie the scores was missed, but Davies made amends shortly after when he slotted a penalty to put the home side in front for the first time.

The referee rightly played a fair amount of added time, much to the annoyance of the home supporters, but Rugby probably would not have scored if he had played another twenty minutes.