Avonmouth Old Boys 20ptsDrybrook 15pts
Drybrook slipped to a disappointing defeat in Bristol where a much changed team struggled to make an impact.
Avonmouth are in the relegation mix and every one of their players recognized the importance of victory whereas Drybrook, sitting comfortably in the top half of the table, lacked the urgency of their hosts
Avonmouth took an early lead with a converted try when they outflanked Drybrook after sucking in the defence.
Drybrook hit straight back and scored themselves when No 8 Mitch Renton crossed after a catch and drive lineout in the corner.
Unfortunately this was as good as it got for Dry brook in a poor first half and they slipped further behind when Avonmouth added a penalty after 20 minutes.
Drybrook hooker Luke Fisher, back after a long term injury, then received a yellow card for a high tackle which did little to help his side’s cause.
Avonmouth were able to maintain the pressure and went further ahead when they bundled over for another try.
Drybrook then put together their best move of the half with a lightening break down the left wing but an intercepted pass nearly led to Avonmouth scoring at the other end.
Drybrook then suffered another blow when winger Cameron Roberts was forced off with an ankle injury and after this they rarely got out of their own half as Avonmouth continued to boss the game.
Half Time:
Avonmouth Old Boys 15pts
Drybrook 5pts
Drybrook started the second half showing more urgency and it was not long before stand off Tim Stevenson reduced the arrears with a try in the corner.
Within minutes Drybrook had the chance of another try but made a complete mess of a line out in the corner.
A good break from Stevenson then took play almost to the home line and in the ensuing scramble Avonmouth conceded a penalty and lost a player to the sin bin.
Drybrook shunned the kick in front to force a lineout in the corner and after being thwarted in their attempt at a catch and drive they spun the ball wide and Mitch Baldwin scampered over in the opposite corner.
At 15pts all it was anybody’s game and with the wind at their backs Drybrook should have gone on to win it.
Avonmouth had other ideas and sneaked ahead again with a disputed try in the corner after Drybrook had a made a mess of the restart.
Stevenson then took a dislike to the Avonmouth fullback and both players received a yellow card after grappling with each other on the floor.
With 12 minutes remaining a serious injury to an Avonmouth player held the game up for a considerable amount of time with the match eventually restarting at 5.25pm.
Avonmouth were able to starve Drybrook of possession in the closing stages and came close to gaining a bonus point try.
In the end Drybrook had to settle for a losing bonus point but one real positive to come out of the game for them was a league debut for young prop Huw Rimmer.
Drybrook 1st XV; Tom Treherne, Sam Peaper, Ben Large (Capt), Kristian Taft, Cameron Roberts, Tim Stevenson, Mitch Baldwin, Huw Rimmer, Luke Fisher, Mitch Hale, Joe James, Glenn Nott, Mitch Bourne, Danny Price, Mitch Renton.
Replacements; Marcus Cowles, Andy Milner, Chris Rawlings
