Drybrook 28ptsMatson 18ptspts
Click here to view match photos
Matson showed their intentions from the kick off, taking the game to Drybrook at every opportunity. Five minutes in, Drybrook were penalized for pulling down a maul. Matson slotted the kick 0 – 3.
The pattern of play continued and four minutes later, Drybrook were penalized for a deliberate knock on 0 – 6.
Matson returned the kick off and to the delight of the home support, slick hand and incisive running from Large, Treherne and Taft saw the latter dive in for a try, duly converted by Richards. 7 – 6.
Undeterred, Matson continued to press and fifteen minutes into the game, Drybrook were penalized and Price yellow carded, for pulling down in the line-out. Matson opted for a scrum, Drybrook were caught offside, a second scrum was taken and the Matson winger was put in for a try in the corner 7 – 11.
Drybrook, though still under pressure especially in the set pieces, began to get into the game and after 30 minutes Richards kicked apenalty after Matson were offside at a ruck. 10 – 11. The Matson scrum half suffered a leg injury and was eventually replaced. In the meanwhile, the ref blew for half time.
Half Time:
Drybrook 10pts
Matson 11pts
Five minutes into the second half, Matson were penalized for a late tackle. Richards again slotted the kick. 13 – 11.
Almost immediately the visitors struck back with an incredible thirty metre drive for a push over try and conversion. 13 – 18. However, Drybrook refused to buckle and minutes later, a Large break was backed up by Baldwin who scored in the corner. 18 – 18.
Changes to the Drybrook line up saw Howells move to hooker, Fisher to blind side flank, Gibbons to second row with Nott coming off. Hale was replaced by Jelf.
The rejigged side soon had its reward when Howells crashed over following a five metre scrum. Richards added the conversion. 25 – 18.
Matson always looked dangerous but, suffered a blow when their captain, No 4, was yellow carded for persistently killing the ball.
Drybrook now had the upper hand and were constantly on the attack.
In the dying minutes, desperate defence from Matson soon saw another yellow card when their other second row was deemed to have made a dangerous tackle. Richards slotted the kick from wide out to make the final score 28 – 18 to Drybrook.
Drybrook; 1. M Hale, 2. L Fisher, 3. E White, 4. W Greenway, 5. G Nott, 6. N Gibbons, 7. D Price, 8. M Bourne. 9. T Treherne, 10. B Large, 11. M Baldwin, 12. J Cooke, 13. S Rugman, 14. K Taft, 15.A Richards.
Reps:- A Howells, D Jelf, J Wakefield.
