Drybrook Rugby Club

Drybrook United got their season underway with a narrow victory over neighbours Bream. The visitors brought a mixed 1st XV/2nd XV squad that also contained a contingent of ex-Cinderford players in their ranks.
Drybrook started strongly and should have gone ahead in the opening minutes but Rhys Evans chose to ignore winger Jake Bourne on the overlap and died with the ball in attempting to go it alone.
Nevertheless Drybrook kept up the pressure and Evans made amends on 15 minutes when he glided in for a try after Mitch Hale had rampaged through several tackles before off loading to him.
After this score Bream began to get on top and only a foot in touch saved Drybrook from conceding a score after 20minutes.
Bream remained patient and worked through the phases and eventually their good work was rewarded with the equalising try.

Drybrook finally managed to break out of defence and a sweeping move took play deep into Bream territory but they failed to hang on to the ball and the chance was lost.
Half Time:
Drybrook United 5pts
Bream XV 5pts
Bream came out the strongest after the interval and forced a series of line outs in the corner and from one of them they drove over for a try to take the lead.
Following this score Drybrook came back into it and soon got themselves level when an intelligent kick through from skipper Andy Milner created the space for Evans to gather before scampering over for his second try.
The game was locked at 10pts apiece for a long period but Drybrook’s better teamwork and fitness was beginning to tell.
The home side dominated territory and possession in the last quarter and shunned

several kickable penalties in pursuit of another try. Eventually the constant pressure told and Mitch Hale powered over from a tap penalty award to win the game for Drybrook.
There were a number of good individual displays from Drybrook with second row Joe James always in the thick of it and ex-Colts duo Hugh Rimmer and Connor Parry producing strong performances in the home pack.
Out behind Kieran Auker-Howlett looked sharp as did fullback Luke Roberts.

Drybrook United XV; Luke Roberts, Jake Bourne, Matt Freeman, Rhys Evans, Jack Freeman, Andy Milner (capt), Kieran Auker-Howlett, Tony Suter, Hugh Rimmer, James Smith, Joe James, Mitch Hale, Jim Rugman, Connor Parry, Alex Smales.
Replacements; Ben Warren, Simon Rugman, Dean Jelf, Steve Virgo, Adam Harris, James Colwell, Jack Davies, Kane Hale, Tony Hussey.