United XV vs Clifton Wanderers – 24th January 2015

South West 1 (west)
south-west-1-results-graphicDrybrook First XV
No Fixture

Gloucestershire Reserve League Premier
PREMIER-link
Drybrook United 25pts
Clifton Wanderers 24pts

Photographs to follow…

Drybrook United recorded their best victory for many a season when they came from behind to see off runaway league leaders Clifton Wanderers.
Clifton were previously unbeaten before this match and have hammered almost everyone they have faced but came unstuck against a strong Drybrook unit playing at the top of their game.
Kieran Auker-Howlett put Drybrook into an early lead with a penalty and although the Drybrook pack soon got on top they had to be very wary of the threat posed by Clifton’s outstanding back division.
Looking to counter from everywhere in near perfect conditions Clifton stretched Drybrook on a number of occasions and had it not been for some poor finishing they could have scored a couple of tries.
As it was they had to wait until the 20th minute when a delightful break from their stand off on half way created the space for a try under the Drybrook posts.
Drybrook then lost winger Luke Roberts with a facial injury and Clifton kept pressing but lost their No 8 to the sin bin following an offence at a maul.
Drybrook hit back and Auker-Howlett struck his second penalty but almost immediately Clifton grabbed another try. This time a poor defensive kick was ran back and with so much power and pace out behind a try quickly resulted.
With the half drawing to a close Clifton capitalised on some turnover ball to run in try number three.

Half Time:
Drybrook United 6pts
Clifton Wanderers 17pts

At the interval Drybrook brought on Dale Critchley in the second row for his first outing of the season and prop Tony “Shake and Vac” Suter and they were soon on top again in the forward exchanges.
Some great off loading between Critchley and Jim Rugman brought Drybrook close to Clifton’s line and after a period of pressure Dean Jelf got the touch down following a forward surge.
Clifton responded immediately with a try when their scrum half exploited a big gap to race over near the posts.
Drybrook knew they had to keep the ball tight to stand any chance of wining this game and brought on prop Craig Clarke for his first game since injuring his ribs back in December.
His presence quickly told as Drybrook laid siege to the visitor’s line and following a number of close calls Clarke was driven over for a try.
With only 6pts separating the teams Drybrook sensed a chance of victory and upped their effort in the forwards to keep the pressure on Clifton.
The last 5 minutes was all Drybrook and they had several push over scrum attempts and kicks to the corner to try and get over the line. Clifton held on grimly but referee Matt Johnson’s patience finally broke when he awarded Drybrook a penalty try after one discretion too many.
Auker-Howlett nailed the conversion to put Drybrook in front and there was only a minute left for Clifton to respond.
As it was Drybrook easily controlled the ball from the re-start and ran down the clock to secure an excellent win.
Drybrook were well served by their forward pack and in particular Mitch Hale, Neil Morgan and Joe James were the stand out players.
Out behind scrum half Kieran Auker-Howlett’s delivery was sharp and precise and centre Simon Rugman looked to be getting back into form after a long injury lay off.

Drybrook United XV; Gareth Holdsworth, Matt Freeman,Tony Hussey, Simon Rugman, Luke Roberts, Chris Rawlings (capt), Kieran Auker-Howlett, Dean Jelf, Connor Auker-Howlett, James Smith, Joe James, Jim Rugman, Mitch Hale, Connor Hale, Neil Morgan.
Replacements; Dale Critchley, Tony Suter, Jack Freeman, Craig Clarke.

Gloucestershire Reserve League North 2
north-2-link
Drybrook Extras 29pts
Old Richian 2nds 17pts

A dominant Drybrook forward platform proved the difference between these two teams in an entertaining contest at the Mannings.
Richians always went away with points when they got into the Drybrook 2 metre area but the home side were in control for long periods and secured victory with tries from Richard Roberts, James Colwell, Rhys Evans and Tom Treherne.
Evans completed the scoring for Drybrook with 3 conversions and a penalty.
Back row veteran Sean Bourne was Drybrook’s man of the match with scrum half James Colwell also having a good game.

Drybrook Extras XV; Kane Hale, Jack Davies, Rhys Evans, Clark Price, Quentin Partridge, Jimmy Ryder, James Colwell, Steve Virgo (capt), Andy Warren, Craig Lancett, Steve Turley, Simon Ballinger, Richard Roberts, Peter Meek, Sean Bourne.
Replacements; Clive Boughton, Adam Harris, Jake Bourne, Ben Warren, Craig Boughton, Tom Treherne, Lee Phelps.