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Director of Rugby Mark Newall reports in: A vital game for fringe players in terms of getting game time against strong opponents, this game brought together players from every section. From 17 year old winger Phelps to veterans Lock Packer and Newall, from 4th team hooker Lewis to first team squad regulars Sacco, Poole,Chesney and Broaders, it was very much a scratch side that took the field at a wet and windy Cribbs Causeway. Playing into a strong wind the Wanderers played a steady first half. Using the blindside Gambrini made good territory and Galvin was unlucky not to be awarded a try. A penalty chance hit a post and the forwards competed well at the set-piece. Poole made a great try-saving tackle but eventually Lydney drove over for a 5-0 lead. Sustained pressure forced Lydney to give away a penalty and a quick tap from Gambrini saw Paul Davis go over, Newall converted for a 7-5 halftime lead. Lydney regrouped at halftime and went on to dominate the second half. Wanderers were starved of possession and gave away too many penalties allowing rolling mauls to trundle over for 3 tries. On a drier day the Wanderers backline would have caused Lydney problems but as it was the bigger pack carried the day. It was nonetheless a spirited performance and a credit to the lower Clifton teams for producing players who held their own in difficult conditions. 0 |