Drybrook Rugby Club

Drybrook Colts XV 24pts
Drybrook Veterans XV 14pts

As a warm up to the England v Fiji Rugby World Cup match on the big screen, this match was staged under floodlights with local referee Mr David Meek in control.
The festival of rugby kicked off after a couple of sharp showers, and the Colts XV as predicted, began to run the ball from everywhere.
Some valiant defending kept them at bay and the moist conditions began to play into the hands of the seasoned veterans.
Not to be outdone, the Colts XV used width and pace to score 2 first half tries through Connor Parry and Joe Watts with Billy Bowdler adding one conversion.
Tight head prop Craig “Fanny” Lancett then surprised even himself when he stole over from close range to get the old uns back into it and Jimmy Ryder’s conversion brought the half time score to 12pts – 7pts.
With an army of replacements to bring on the Vets completely changed their XV at the break with the most noticeable being Paul Gaylard who had flown in from Canada just for the occasion.
It is not often that anyone has a pair of shorts larger than Dave Meek’s but Gaylard’s 52 inch waist specials captivated the large audience for some time.

Another notable inclusion was Chris Tingle who was released from the England training camp by Stuart Lancaster just in time for this fixture but even with a player of his ability in their ranks the Vets played second fiddle for most of the 2nd half.
The Colts swept to victory with tries from Ben Element and Billy Bowdler with Mitch Giles converting one of them.
Peter Meek managed a try for the Vets and Ryder converted to give some respectability to the score line.

The Vets man of the match was Craig Lancett who was the only player in their ranks to last the full 80 minutes with Josh Element earning the accolade for the Colts.
A special award also went to Colts newcomer Alfie Smith and it was great to see Tom Woodman, Billy Bowdler, John Cahill and Mitch Giles back in Drybrook colours.
Zak Hancock and George Green were recruited from the disbanded BerryHill team whilst the special relationship with Bream Colts proved its worth when Liam Brady and Max Parry came along for a game.
A special mention must be made of Coaches Chris Rawlings & Gordy Bourne who with the help of 1st XV players Ben Large and Danny Price made sure the young uns had the very best preparation for the match.

The Vets on the other hand had to rely on a sterling effort from Clive “Smiler” Boughton for getting a squad together – is there nothing this man can’t do?
Finally Jason Watts deserves the Victoria Cross for making sure the Colts had enough players and a great evening ended with a few beers as England smashed Fiji.

Veterans XV; L Wilks, C Boughton, C Lancett, S Turley, D Brookes, D A H, D Thomas, R Roberts, I Morgan, J Ryder, I Rawlings, J Jeffs, C Price, N Kear, J Roberts.
Replacements; C Tingle, P Gaylard, C Lancett, V Jones, K Wynn, P Meek, G Collins, R Probert, I Morgan, J Ryder, J Davis, A Ryder, S Ballinger, K Hale, D Durston, J Mustoe, P Ballinger

Colts XV; Craig Smiler Boughton, Billy Bowdler, Jordan Eacups, Connor Parry, Frazer Montague, Josh Element, Zac Hancock, Tom Woodman, Ben Element, Harry Rushworth, George Green, Joe Watts, Mitch Giles, Kevin Otenyo, Ciaran Barco.
Replacements; Bailey Watts, John Cahill, Alfie Smith, Liam Brady – Bream RFC, Max Parry – Bream RFC, Jordan Taylor