United vs Cinderford Stags 29th November 2014

Gloucestershire Reserve League Premier

Drybrook United 15pts
Cinderford Stags 24pts

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Cinderford Stags came out on top of this entertaining derby match played in the late November sunshine at the Mannings.
It was Cinderford’s greater ability to turn pressure into points that saw them through whereas Drybrook had an equal amount of opportunities but lacked the decisive touch where it mattered most.
All of the early attacking came from Cinderford but Drybrook eventually got out of their own half to open the scoring. A number of attacks led to a string of penalties and Cinderford’s Gordon Taylor was eventually yellow carded and Andy Milner made no mistake with the simple kick.
The Stags made light of their numerical disadvantage and soon snatched the lead when scrum half Danny Parry took a quick tap penalty before sending Lewis Smith through the gap for a try that Nathan Green converted.
Despite a dismal lineout platform Drybrook competed well but Cinderford’s defence proved to be strong all afternoon.
A minor disagreement after 30 minutes led to Drybrook’s Jim Rugman and Cinderford’s Danny Parry receiving yellow cards and after this the game began to open up with both team’s trying to play expansive rugby.
Just before the break Drybrook were on the attack and a big up and under was fielded by Cinderford fullback Adam Wilce deep in his own 22 metre area. He set off on an excellent run up to half way beating several players in the process and found support steaming up on his inside.
An excellent cross-field kick from second row Chris Williams found centre Mike Jelf in space and he squeezed in at the corner to extend his team’s lead.

Half time:
Drybrook United 3pts
Cinderford Stags 12pts

Cinderford extended their lead early in the second half when a long pass created the space for Wilce to glide over in the corner.
With 20 minutes gone Cinderford scored again when replacement Dane Bradley wriggled over for a try following a spell of pressure on the Drybrook line and Green’s conversion emphasised the visitor’s superiority at this stage.
Characteristically Drybrook refused to throw in the towel and came back very strongly with wave after wave of attacks near the Cinderford line. Second-row Marcus Cowles was held up in the in goal area but Drybrook eventually found a way through when Mitch Hale powered through a tiring defence.
Straight from the restart Drybrook scored again when centre Gareth Holdsworth was put through the gap on half way where he set off on a great run to the line despite the presence of a number of defenders.
Unfortunately Milner’s conversion was wide of the target but there was just enough time for Drybrook to try and get back into it.
In the end Cinderford were able to close the game out to take the spoils.
For Cinderford second row Chris Williams was a tower of strength at the lineout whist out behind Adam Wilce and Mike Jelf caught the eye.
Drybrook were well served by prop Mitch Hale who punched a lot of holes in the Cinderford defence and winger Matt Freeman who looked sharp every time he got his hands on the ball.
It was also good to see back-row man Mitch Browning back for his first game of the season following a lengthy injury lay off.

Drybrook United XV; Andy Milner (capt), Matt Freeman, Gareth Holdsworth, Connor Hale, Jack Freeman, Chris Rawlings, Kieran Auker-Howlett, Mitch Hale, Connor Auker-Howlett, Tony Suter, Marcus Cowles, Ashley Nelmes, Mitch Browning, Joe James, Jim Rugman.
Replacements; Dean Jelf, James Smith, Tom Treherne, Luke Roberts.

Gloucestershire Reserve League North 2

Dursley 2nds 0pts
Drybrook Extras 0pts

Drybrook travelled away to face a strong Dursley 2nd string, on the back of two wins on the bounce Drybrook were confident of claiming the scalp from a side that sit just 2 places above them in the league.
Drybrook had the early pressure Inside the Dursley 22 earning various penalties which were kicked to the corner only to be halted on several occasions by a solid home defence. As the game ticked on there was verry little opportunities for either side to break the deadlock. Outstanding defense by Drybrook lead to Dursley being held up over the line and in response Drybrook got the shove on at the scrum to take a ball against the head and clear to safety. Dursley missed a Penalty in the second half to go 3 nil up, but fantastic defence from both sides kept the game to a nil – nil draw.
Drybrook men of the match; Debutant: Rhys bleddyn, centre Tony hussey and flanker Tom campbell

Drybrook Extra XV; 1 Steven Virgo, 2 Clive boughton, 3 Craig lancett, 4 Steve turley, 5 Chris Skelton, 6 Simon ballinger, 7 Tom Campbell, 8 rich roberts, 9 Jimmy Ryder, 10 Rhys bleddyn, 11 Jack Freeman, 12 tony hussey, 13 Jack Davis, 14 Jay knight, 15 Ben Powell
Replacements; Lee Phelps, Andrew Warren, Ben Warren, Chris Parker, Craig boughton