THE pre-match talk was all about Lydney winning this one. But supporters ought to know better...making the Severnsiders favourites is the kiss of death!

And, sure enough, it came to pass.

A fluked try was the only difference in a very tight game but in truth Clifton were marginally better and deserved to achieve the double.

Having closely studied a recording of the match, team manager Colin Henderson said neither team had ever looked like constructing a try in a game dominated by excellent defences.

"The real difference was the mistake as two Lydney players went to field a high kick. The ball was dropped and fell to a Clifton flanker who had the try line at his mercy," said Henderson.

Along with many supporters he also questioned the tactic of spurning penalty opportunities and kicking instead for the corners.

"We shunned a couple of kicks at goal. On reflection it's easy to say going for a driving line-out was wrong but when you have a goal kicker as consistent as Danny Trigg perhaps the best approach is to try and take the points," he said.

Henderson believes Lydney good enough to escape the drop.

"There's a long way to go. Because of holidays we will be short of a couple of players at Chinnor this Saturday. But it is a game coach Duncan Bell will target for at least a bonus point," he said.

The plus points for Lydney on Saturday were a sound scrummage and some excellent tackling. However, the line-out was not always smooth and work is needed here.

Paul Price and Will Jones were the pick of the forwards, half-backs Graham and Trigg were tidy, and Josh Innes tackled his heart out.

There are some interesting games ahead for the Lydney faithful who continue to turn out in force, confirming the view there is as much excitement generated by trying to keep out of the bottom three places as trying to stay in the top three!

Lydney: Penalties, Danny Trigg (2).

Clifton: Try, Tom O'Keeffe; Conversion, Ben Roberts; Penalties, Ben Roberts (2).