Drybrook edged a close contest under the Mannings floodlights in wet and muddy conditions. They started off really well exerting a lot of pressure on Westbury, and with the Drybrook forwards working in unison they made a lot of inroads into the Westbury defence which led to Andy Milner kicking 2 penalties.
Westbury got on the score board through a penalty when Drybrook were deemed to have infringed at the break down, Rhys Gardener knocking over the 3 points.
Drybrook went on to add another penalty through Milner only for Gardener to add another penalty to take the score to 9-6 at half time.
Drybrook started the 2nd half poorly conceding a penalty at the breakdown straight from kick off and this time Charlie Gayther added the 3 points to bring the score level.
Drybrook were continually falling foul of the referee’s whistle at the breakdown and the scrum resulting in a yellow card for tight head Antony Suter.
Drybrook United 16pts Westbury-on-Severn 1st XV 14pts
Once Suter returned Drybrook were held up just short of the line but with the continued pressure Lee Ward crashed over following a solid scrum with Milner adding the extras.
The game continued to be played as a war of attrition with Drybrook unable to get to play at a decent tempo falling foul of the referee’s whistle time and again.
A speculative clearance kick by Tom Eddols wasn’t dealt with by the Drybrook defence and the ball somewhat fortunately bounced straight into the hands of Rhys Gardener to race clear for a try in the corner. The conversion was missed.
Drybrook managed to step up their performance for the final 10 minutes to see out the game. They now move onto play the winners of Cinderford Stags v Ross on Wye 1st XV.
The game continued to be played as a war of attrition with Drybrook unable to get to play at a decent tempo falling foul of the referee’s whistle time and again.
A speculative clearance kick by Tom Eddols wasn’t dealt with by the Drybrook defence and the ball somewhat fortunately bounced straight into the hands of Rhys Gardener to race clear for a try in the corner. The conversion was missed.
Drybrook managed to step up their performance for the final 10 minutes to see out the game. They now move onto play the winners of Cinderford Stags v Ross on Wye 1st XV.
Drybrook United XV; 1. Connor Auker-Howlett 2. Dean Jelf 3. Antony Suter 4. Joe James 5. Mitch Hale 6. Glen Nott 7. Mitch Bourne 8. Lee Ward 9. Tom Treherne 10. Chris Rawlings 11. Adam Swordy 12. Aiden Price 13. Connor Hale 14. Kieron A-H 15. Andy Milner (Capt)
Replacement; Matty Freeman