6th October 2012 Dursley 0pts Drybrook 19pts

Gloucester Premier League

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Drybrook moved up to second in the table after this hard fought win over a very competent Dursley outfit.

Although the weather was fine, overnight conditions had left the ground wet in places and both sides found the wet ball difficult to keep hold of.

Drybrook started well enough and after 9 minutes they were held up over the Tewkesbury line. They kept up the pressure, remained patient and were rewarded when second row Marcus Cowles proved unstoppable from 5 meters out.

Dursley missed a couple of reasonably easy penalty chances and for the remainder of the half enjoyed the majority of possession and field position.

Drybrook defended well when they had to and held a slender lead at the interval.

Halftime Dursley nil Drybrook 5pts

Drybrook changed their tactics in the second half and used their forwards to make ground and to wear the home team down. Led by the in form Neil Morgan, Drybrook’s pack gradually took control and Dursley were forced to live off scraps of possession.

Drybrook’s second try came from a series of pick and drives near the home line where flanker Lee Ward was on hand to finish off in style with a try near the posts.

Tom Treherne converted and Drybrook continued to dominate with hooker Ashley Howells and prop Craig Clarke prominent in a number of forward surges.

Eventually another score had to come and Morgan was the beneficiary when he crossed after a line out peel was driven on by Howells who was brought down just short of the line.

Treherne converted and although Drybrook created a number of other good positions, a combination of the wet ball and a resolute home defence ensured there was no addition to the scoring.

For Drybrook hooker Ashley Howells just shaded the man of the match award in front of a number of other in form players.

Drybrook team: Tom Treherne, Mitch Baldwin, Simon Rugman (capt), Luke Fisher, Sam Peaper, Ben Large, Carl Moore, Jun Sing Lee, Ashley Howells, Craig Clarke, Neil Morgan, Marcus Cowles, Dan Price, Lee Ward, Liam Jackson.
Substitutes; Nick Ovens, Mitch Renton, Chris Rawlings.

Gloucestershire Reserve League North 1

Drybrook United 73pts
Cirencester 2nds 5pts

Cirencester arrived with only 11 player but sportingly Rich Roberts, Mark Castree, Simon Burke and Mark Head made up their team to enable the fixture to go ahead.

Drybrook’s forwards quickly gained the upper hand with 2 Peter Meek tries and one form Joe Tingle, all converted by Andy Milner.

A lovely flowing backs move led to Kane Hale going over in the corner and then Tingle completed his hat trick with a try either side of the interval.

The scoreboard continued to tick along nicely after the break with Hale grabbing his second and then other tries came from Rob Clyne, Jack Davies, Charlie Dagwell and Andy Milner who ended the game with a personal tally of 23 points.

To their credit Cirencester showed some real character and played with a lot of passion to grab a consolation try.

Second row Jim Rugman was awarded the man of the match for his tireless work in the loose.

Drybrook United; Andy Milner ( capt), Kane Hale, Charlie Dagwell, Rory Day, Connor Hale, Adam Swordy, Danny Verry, Connor Auker-Howlett, John Baynham, Tom Reed, Jo James, Jim Rugman, Pete Meek, Joe Tingle, Ben Warren.
Substitutes;Rob Clyne, Steve Virgo, Jack Davies.

Gloucestershire Reserve League North 2
Drybrook Extras had their match called off for the second week running when this time Gloucester Old Boys 2nds were unable to raise a team.