Bideford 38ptsDrybrook 22pts
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Drybrook failed to capitalise on a great opening 25 minutes where they built up an impressive 17pts – nil lead only to see there game fall apart and allow the home side to claim the spoils.
After weathering an early onslaught in which North Petherton hit the post with a penalty attempt, Drybrook stormed down field to open the scoring.
From a scrum 10 metres out a classic move led to winger Harry Gooderham searing through the gap to touch down near the posts and Tom Treherne converted.
Pethy tried to respond but were forced them into a lot of errors and with the visitors’ scrum looking more solid than of late, Drybrook they had to platform to mount a serious challenge.
A great break from scrum half Mitch Baldwin took play deep into Petherton territory and although the home side held out for a period a penalty inevitably resulted. The ever alert Baldwin took it quickly and raced over for a try with Treherne again adding the conversion.
Drybrook continued to have the better of things and with 20 minutes gone Treherne struck a penalty from the 10 metre line to put Drybrook 17pts – nil ahead.
The home side looked shaken and threw everything into attack and it was at this stage that Drybrook’s game fell apart.
Back row man Mitch Bourne was yellow carded and for a period Drybrook were on the back foot with a panicky defence just holding the home team at bay.
Eventually a forward rumble close to the line brought a try for Petherton and from the restart there was worse to come for Drybrook.
A delightful move with players in support all round created the space for the home wing to race in under the posts and at the end of the half it was Drybrook who were just hanging on.
Half Time:
North Petherton 14pts
Drybrook 17pts
Drybrook were cut apart within 2 minutes of the restart when a poor kick for touch created unnecessary pressure and even poorer midfield defence led to a try in the corner.
In the lead for the first time North Petherton had their tails up but in contrast Drybrook were lacking in confidence and application.
Restored to 15 men Drybrook could not get out of their own half and more pressure resulted in the bonus point try under the posts after some very weak tackling.
A rout looked on the cards but Drybrook got their game back together and for a 10 minute period they had the better of play.
Lots of pressure near the home line eventually led to prop Elliot White crashing over and at 22pts -26pts they were still in with a chance.
With 8 minutes to go Pethy made the game safe with a catch and drive try in the corner but there was still time for Drybrook to close the gap and get a bonus point try themselves and even a losing bonus point.
Despite creating the position and opportunity to have got something out of the game Drybrook squandered a lot of ball with individuals going for glory instead of playing for the team.
In the last minute the home side had a player sent to the bin and this gave Drybrook the chance to kick to the corner to attempt a catch and drive try.
Unfortunately they made a complete hash of it and Petherton hacked the ball down field where their winger easily beat Treherne in the race to the touch down with the last play of the game.
This was a performance to forget for Drybrook with several players playing below par but fortunately scrum half Mitch Baldwin looked sharp throughout and easily took the man of man accolade.
Drybrook; Tom Treherne, Gareth Holdsworth, Jack Simmons, Sam Peaper, Harry Gooderham, Ben Large (Capt), Mitch Baldwin, Craig Clarke, Luke Fisher, Elliot White, Will Greenway, Glenn Nott, Danny Price, Mitch Bourne, Mitch Renton.
Replacements; Marcus Cowles, Chris Rawlings, Mitch Hale.
