Ivybridge 38ptsDrybrook 7pts
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Drybrook are finding life tough in South West One and after a promising first half showing their game fell away badly in the second period at Ivybridge.
Given first use of the slight slope, Drybrook quickly pressed and were held up just short of the line after 3 minutes. Further pressure led to the home side just scrambling the ball out at the corner.
Ivybridge eventually cleared and with 11 minutes gone Drybrook No 8 Jose Kabile was yellow carded for an offence at a ruck and they did well to survive a driven lineout in the corner.
A few minutes later the Drybrook backs were judged offside and Ivybridge opened the scoring with the resulting penalty.
Midway through the half and back at full strength Drybrook grabbed a try but there was an element of luck about it. Luke Fisher has his kick charged down but it fell nicely into the hands of skipper Ben Large who raced down field before putting winger Harry Gooderham over in the corner.
Alun Richards converted from wide out but then Drybrook had to withstand a lot of pressure as the home side attempted to hit back.
With 33 minutes on the clock Ivybridge were awarded a five metre scrum and despite it wheeling past the ninety degree mark, the referee allowed play to continue and a simple pick up led to an easy try.
The half ended with Gooderham just being bundled into touch after a promising Drybrook attack.
Half Time:
Ivybridge 10pts
Drybrook 7pts
Drybrook were quickly forced to defend at the start of the second half and several missed tackles led to space being created for a try wide out.
For a short period Drybrook did well but their game gradually fell apart and they could not even secure their own set piece ball which gave the home team a distinct advantage.
Eventually the pressure told and Ivybridge scored again when the second row scampered over after a gap opened up near the posts.
Right from the restart Ivybridge grabbed the bonus point try when they ran from deep and Drybrook’s defence was found wanting once again.
To make matters worse Gooderham was carried off after damaging his knee and things began to look ominous for Drybrook.
Despite being totally outgunned in the forwards Drybrook did at least show some character in their loose play and some aggressive tackling and individual flair meant Ivybridge did not have it all their own way.
Late in the game, a futile attempt by Drybrook to run out from near their own posts eventually led to turnover ball and the home side were able to run in try number 5 after creating an overlap.
Drybrook did not give up but this was a bad performance with the greatest causes for concern being the lack of set piece ball, poor touch kicking and weak first up tackling.
Drybrook; Kristian Taft, Harry Gooderham, Luke Fisher, Ben Large (Capt), Sam Peaper, Alun Richards, Tom Treherne, Dean Jelf, Ashley Howells, Elliot White, Niall Gibbons, Marcus Cowles, Danny Price, Mitch Bourne, Jose Kabile.
Replacements; Mitch Baldwin, Mitch Hale, Will Greenway.
