Avon (home) 29th March 2014

Western Counties North
report-page-western-countieDrybrook 36pts
Avon 10pts

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Drybrook found fourth placed Avon a difficult team to break down but eventually came out on top to claim another bonus point victory.
The visitors made all the early running despite playing against the wind but with 9 minutes gone Ollie Clements struck a penalty for Drybrook.
Avon hit back with a lot of pressure on the home line and took the lead when a long pass created the opportunity for a score on the overlap.
Drybrook’s set piece play was a shambles and they hardly had any decent possession but after 20 minutes they sprung to life to score a good try. Following several phases and some good off loading the ball was moved wide to winger Harry Gooderham who raced over in the corner.
Clements converted from the touchline and then Drybrook slowly began to get on top. The next try came from a piece of individual brilliance from fullback Kristian Taft who took a high ball just inside his own half before skipping past defender after defender on his way to a try in the corner.
Clements converted but it took the last play of the half before Drybrook got their third try. This time skipper Simon Rugman powered through several tackles on a run from the 22 metre line.

Half Time:
Drybrook 22pts
Avon 5pts

Avon surprised Drybrook with a strong start to the second half where they monopolised possession for a long period. With 20 minutes gone they deservedly scored a second try when Drybrook ran out of defenders following prolonged pressure near their line.
Ball retention was a problem for Drybrook with lots of handling errors creeping into their play but they eventually found their rhythm to score the bonus point try.
Taft made a great break before the ball was moved to the opposite wing where Gooderham made ground before offloading to Rugman who touched down in the corner.
Clements converted with another fine kick but Avon refused to give in and soon put Drybrook under pressure once more. When the ball went loose prop Nick Ovens hacked down field and was then joined by hooker Luke Fisher in a kick and chase to the Avon line which Fisher just won to get the touch down. Clements converted to complete the scoring.
Several players did well for Drybrook but it was fullback Kristian Taft who won the man of the match award following an all action display.

Drybrook 1st XV; Kristian Taft, Sam Peaper, Simon Rugman (capt), Ben Large, Hary Gooderham, Ollie Clements, Tom Treherne, Tom Reed, Luke Fisher, Jun Sing Lee, Glenn Nott, Neil Morgan, Danny Price, Mitch Bourne, Mitch Renton.
Replacements; Nick Ovens, Marcus Cowles, Mitch Baldwin.

Gloucestershire Reserve League Premier
PREMIER-link
Old Centralians ‘A’ 22pts
Drybrook United 51pts

Drybrook United pulled off an excellent victory in Gloucester where 17 year old Alex Isles not only made his senior debut for the club but scored a hat trick of tries in the process.
One of the stars of Drybrook’s highly successful Under 17’s team, Isles pace and trickery proved difficult for Centralians to deal with.
Matt Freeman scored 2 tries for Drybrook with others coming from Connor Hale, Mitch Browning and Jack Freeman.
Skipper Andy Milner completed the scoring by adding a penalty and four conversions.

Drybrook United XV; Tony Hussey, Jack Freeman, Connor Hale, Matt Freeman, Alex Isles, Andy Milner (capt) Kieran Auker-Howlett, Connor Auker-Howlett, Dean Jelf, Antony Suter, Steve Turley, Mitch Hale, Joe James, Will Greenway, Mitch Browning
Replacement; Tom Maskell.

Gloucestershire Reserve League North 2
north-2-link
Cirencester 2nds
Drybrook Extras

This match was called off at 1pm when Cirencester 2nds were unable to put out a team at home.