National Leage Three South

THERE was an air of inevitability about this Lydney victory in a game which, in truth, Cinderford should have won hands down.

But the longer it want on the clearer it became that the Dockham Road boys are desperately short on confidence. The architects of their own misfortune, they frequently gave away crucial penalties and conceded the vital one just a couple of minutes from time enabling Lydney to pick up two league points even their most loyal supporters would acknowledge as gifts.

Lydney's pack has enjoyed a highly successful season but came down to earth with a bump on a heavy Dockham Road pitch. They were contained and frequently beaten in every phase of play although their highly organised defence allowed Cinderford no space round the fringes. And by the final 15 minutes they had pulled Cinderford's sting and taken a grip on proceedings.

Cinderford's one-eyed tactics of continuously trying to break through close to cover eventually brought their downfall.

Pete Miles was a tower of strength throughout, but as he helped organise and orchestrate a stream of possession by his dominant forwards he must have scratched his head in disbelief as opportunities galore came to nothing.

Cinderford had to come from behind. Having dominated the first quarter they let Lydney steam ahead with an excellent try by winger Charlie Vine converted by Neil Merrett who also kicked a penalty goal.

A Mike Hart penalty and a try created by centre Stuart Chant and scored by Hart who also added the conversion, surely gave Cinderford every indication they needed to expose Lydney wide out but they continued to seek to blast through an unshakeable defence and eventually paid the price.

Merrett kicked a penalty and Jewitt dropped a goal but as the game wore on so Lydney became more composed, winning greater possession and forcing errors.

Handling at rucks cost ground and the match swung Lydney's way as Merrett kicked the winning penalty a couple of minutes from time.

The result left Lydney fifth from the top of the table and Cinderford rooted to the bottom.

The Cinderford team is too good to be there but they will need greater tactical appreciation and a change of fortune if they are to avoid a dog fight to steer clear of the drop in their first season of National League rugby.