LYDNEY'S new director of coaching, Ian Seymour, sported the widest grin of them all at Regentsholme on Sunday as his young team put Blackheath to the sword in their opening Jewson National League One match.

A Lydney victory by 29 - 15 was what the doctor had ordered. And it was not just a grind. There were some real touches of class in a performance which vibrated with enthusiasm.

The experienced Seymour knows the key to rugby at national league level is strength in depth and he must have been delighted to see the early season form displayed by so many of the club's younger players.

"Now we have something to work on," was his first comment.

There is nothing a rugby director can enjoy more than a selectorial headache – not on who to pick but on who to leave out. It is early days to name Lydney's best team but Seymour already knows he has a clutch of players hammering away to try and win his vote.

Lydney's director or rugby, Gordon Sargent, always said the squad would improve as the season unfolded.

"I knew we had some good young players. Lee Johnson and Charlie Vine showed neat touches and new centre Dave Taylor looked handy. Fortunately the core of the team in unchanged and you can rely on experienced players like Julian Davis and Nick Nelmes to bring the best out of the younger players," he said.

Having lost last season's complete back-row it was back to the drawing board for the Blackheath game, and Seymour will have been encouraged by the determination of Paul Kiely, Nathan Evans and David Emery. All three have time to develop their games and will make progress as they gain in experience.

The game was also important for new skipper Nick Bartlett. The Royal Navy prop has made a lightning recovery from a broken leg received in the field gun trials and produced a typically gritty performance to lead his team to an impressive opening win.

Newly promoted Bracknell will provide another major test at Regentsholme this Saturday. They have enjoyed almost unprecedented success in recent seasons but Bartlett and his men are sure to provide them with a warm welcome.