Thornbury 24ptsDrybrook 24pts
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Drybrook did extremely well to earn a draw at Thornbury after showing a lot of ambition in the last 10 minutes to score 2 tries.
Given first use of the Thornbury slope, Drybrook soon found themselves defending a tremendous onslaught from the home team. Thornbury looked hungry and sharp and Drybrook could do nothing to prevent a try from home fullback Ed Sheldon who took an inside pass before gliding over the line.
The strong wind made it difficult for both teams but Drybrook relieved the pressure with some good rugby that almost brought a try for winger Harry Gooderham.
Thornbury hit back and were denied a try themselves through a double movement but with 20 minutes gone Drybrook drew level with a well worked try.
Wave after wave of attacks and some great ball retention finally created the space for fullback Kristian Taft to squeeze over in the corner.
Drybrook continued to press but were reduced to 14 men when No 8 Mitch Renton was harshly singled out to receive a yellow card after an altercation involving several players.
Undeterred Drybrook soldiered on and with their pack doing a lot of ball carrying Thornbury had a bit of defending to do.
With 35 minutes gone Drybrook snatched the lead after a tremendous 40 metre forward drive from a line out that took play right up to the home line where skipper Ben Large forced his way over for a try that Alun Richards converted.
Drybrook then lost Gooderham to the bin when he took out his opposite number in the air after chasing up a kick ahead and to make matters worse he injured himself in the process.
Thornbury reacted well and were soon on the attack again but they shunned a very kickable penalty to take a scrum near the Drybrook line. A quick pick up and sharp passing led to Sheldon going over for a try in the corner right on the stroke of half time.
Half Time:
Thornbury 10pts
Drybrook 12pts
Drybrook used the wind well at the start of the second half and soon had the home side defending their own line but Thornbury eventually cleared the danger.
The home team then began to take control and Drybrook lost another player to the bin when Luke Fisher was shown yellow for a deliberate knock on.
Forced to defend a number of attacks, Drybrook eventually conceded a try when a forward drive proved unstoppable from close range.
Straight from the restart Thornbury scored the bonus point try when the ball was moved wide to Sheldon deep inside his own half. The Thornbury fullback, who had been a thorn in Drybrook’s side all afternoon, turned on the gas and outstripped several defenders on a fine run to the line.
With 10 minutes remaining there seemed no way back for Drybrook but they showed tremendous resolve to not only snatch a draw but claim a try bonus point as well.
The first try came from a scrum under the home posts which Drybrook took against the head. No 8 Renton quickly broke with the ball and barged his way over for the try.
Drybrook remained patient and showed a lot of composure in the last few minutes to retain possession and subject the home line to a great deal of pressure.
Eventually a driven line out resulted in prop forward Craig Clarke claiming the bonus point try and it was left to Alun Richards to nail the difficult conversion to bring the scores level.
There was still time for Drybrook to snatch an unlikely victory but Richards’ late penalty effort from close to the half way line just dropped short.
This was a very good performance from Drybrook considering the lost 3 players to the bin at various times in the game. In particular the forwards did a lot of ball carrying with Ashley Howells, Craig Clark and Mitch Renton prominent.
Out behind Drybrook also did well with centre Jamie Cook looking strong and winger Sam Peaper who looked particularly sharp every time he got his hands on the ball.
Drybrook; Kristian Taft, Harry Gooderham, Ben Large (Capt), Jamie Cook, Sam Peaper, Alun Richards, Mitch Baldwin, Dean Jelf, Luke Fisher, Craig Clarke, Neil Morgan, Glenn Nott, Danny Price, Mitch Bourne, Mitch Renton.
Replacements; Will Greenway, Niall Gibbons, Ashley Howells.
