After trips to Matson and Royal Wootton Bassett, this was the Saints’ third trek up the M5 in four weeks. The Cornishmen knew they would be in for a stern test at high flying Lydney, but they dug deep to deliver a gutsy performance to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.

On a bright sunny but chilly day, the Gloucestershire side were roared on by a large vociferous home support, but it was the visitors who had the better start. The Saints built up some early momentum and a high tackle from Lydney gave the visitors a line out platform just inside the home 22. With the driving maul inching forward, scrum half Dan Tyrrell was quick to spot a chink in the Lydney defence and scooted through the gap to go under the posts. Matt Shepherd slotted the routine conversion and then added a penalty to put the Saints 0-10 in front after 15 minutes.

Lydney used their powerful forwards to wrestle the momentum back from the visitors who were forced to defend for long periods during the second quarter. Just as it seemed the Saints would deny the home side, Lydney scored a try right on half time to make it 5-10 at the break. It was the one occasion the home side deviated from their primary tactic of trying to blast their way through the middle of the defiant red wall by stretching the ball wide.

Lydney came out all guns blazing in the second half to trap the visitors in the scoreboard corner. The home crowd were in full voice as Lydney used their scrum to great effect with number eight Pat Hanslow charging over. The conversion by fly-half Rickie Aley put the home side 12-10 in front and there was now a clear expectation around Regentsholme that more points were to follow.

Lydney remained welded to their approach of launching hard running ball carriers at the Saints defence. Tackle after tackle went in from the visitors to deny Lydney any clear-cut opportunities. The Saints rode the storm and started to play at a higher tempo to stretch the home side. On the hour mark a flowing move from the Saints, one of the few in dogged contest, created an overlap only for the final pass to stray forward. The visitors thought they had scored when teenage prop Riley Raikes burst through a ruck to go over under the posts. The referee adjudged he had kicked the ball through the breakdown to deny him his moment of glory. The respite for Lydney was short-lived as the Saints’ endeavour was eventually rewarded when flanker Hector Bright put the Saints back in front with Shepherd’s conversion with ten minutes to go (10-17).

The visitors saw out a tense finish with the frustrated home support baying for a penalty at every point of contact. Lydney took play into the Saints’ 22 with a series of pick and drives as they went in search of a vital score. Deep into time added on, Hector Bright timed his intervention to perfection to rip the ball from a Lydney carrier and turnover possession. The home side went off feet at the next breakdown, a routine lineout gave Rory Jago the simple task of kicking to touch to win the game.

After five wins straight wins and an unbeaten of seven games the Saints have moved up to 5th place in the league. Next week sees the final game of 2025 when league leaders Devonport Services are the visitors to Tregorrick. The Saints are licking their lips at the prospect of testing themselves against the Regional One promotion favourites and will be hoping to end the year on a high (kick-off 2:30pm).