A DIFFICULT season ended with smiles for members of Lydney's United team as they lifted one of rugby's most impressive trophies, The Combination Cup, last week.
Combination matches are no longer what they were. Once the highlight of the local rugby calendar, village and town teams clashed in titanic battles.
But leagues now dominate and Lydney United found themselves in the final, played at Drybrook, without so much as kicking a ball.
"It was not the best way to go about it," said skipper Dave Emery.
"It's obviously disappointing, but at this stage of the season you accept anything that comes your way. The game against Ross was no less competitive than any other Combination match and, credit to them, they played really well.
"Though we had most of the ball and a lot of territory they defended really well and their tackling was first class. They had some good players including a scrum-half who was excellent," he said.
Emery reflected on a season he said that at best could be described as difficult.
"We have had to field a lot of young players and the front row has been a problem area. But if the team sticks together I'm positive of a huge improvement next season," he said.
The United line-up was strengthened by the return of several senior players back from injury. Club captain Paul Price played his first game following an operation to a knee and Dean Jenkins played only his second game in four months. Paul Kiely and Tony Wicks were also back after less serious injuries.
A try by winger Connor Hale and a penalty by Wicks gave United the half-time lead and they cemented victory with two more scores, with tries going to centre Guy Wilson and prop Levi Smith. Wicks made one conversion.