Drybrook 3ptsNewent 15pts
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This long awaited clash between two of the county’s most successful sides in recent years turned into a bit of an anti climax as Newent eased to a comfortable victory.
Newent had more passion and desire to their game as well as an accuracy of application that was sadly missing from the home side who looked strangely out of sorts.
Newent also had scum half James Dean to thank for a man of the match performance and he kept his team on the front foot especially with his kicking from hand to keep Drybrook pinned back.
Drybrook started well enough and went into an early lead with a well struck penalty from scrum half Tom Treherne.
The home side were dominant at the line out but made little head way against a dogged Newent defence. After 10 minutes Drybrook lost centre Jack Simmons following a heavy tackle.
Newent began to get on top and after 20 minutes they scored the opening try when Dean made a break from a tap penalty and offloaded to flanker Barney Goatley who touched down.
Skipper Ross Webb converted and his side were soon on the attack again and following more pressure Drybrook’s Luke Fisher was yellow carded for slowing the ball down from a ruck in front of the posts.
Webb slotted the resulting penalty to extend Newent’s lead and at this stage the visitors were well on top.
Another raking kick from Dean gave Newent a good position but they were held up in the in goal area.
From the resulting scrum came the best move of the match when some excellent three quarter play exploited Drybrook’s lack of numbers out wide to send Rueben Goatley in on the overlap.
Drybrook rallied towards the end of the half and set up a good driving maul close to the visitor’s line but lost possession and Newent were able to clear.
Half Time:
Drybrook 3pts
Newent 15pts
Newent’s Ross Webb missed 2 long range penalties at the start of the second half and then Drybrook lost prop Dean Jelf to the bin.
Despite the one man disadvantage they competed well and their best attack was halted after a knock on.
This became a feature of the half as Drybrook began to see more of the ball but their handling was dreadful and countless knock ons and dropped passes disrupted their rhythm.
Newent then lost second row Dan Fletcher to the bin and Drybrook began kicking to the corner to try and produce a catch and drive score.
Continued pressure led to Barney Goatley also receiving a yellow card but even against 13 men for a period Drybrook could not break through.
Into the last 10 minutes Drybrook persevered with their catch and drive tactics but never came close to pulling it off and consequently Newent were able to ease to victory.
Newent now host BerryHill in the semi-final for the right to meet Cinderford United in the final at the Mannings Ground in May.
Drybrook; Kristian Taft, Harry Gooderham, Jack Simmons, Luke Fisher, Sam Peaper, Ben Large (capt), Tom Treherne, Dean Jelf, Harry Collins, Elliot White, Will Greenway, Rick Cottrell, Danny Price, Niall Gibbons, Mitch Bourne.
Replacements; Marcus Cowles, Mitch Hale, Chris Rawlings, Glenn Nott.
Newent; Brett Gardner, Rueben Goatley, Charlie Gellert, Ross Webb (capt), Dominic Matthews, Will Mansfield, James Dean, Morgan Morris, Luke Williams, Chris Steward, Dan Fletcher, Toby Freeman, Fred Nottingham, Barney Goatley, Jamie Meek.
Replacements; James Parker, Luke Marriot, Lee Warren, Dan Bubb-Sacklyn
