Stroud 0pts
Drybrook 17pts
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Drybrook overcame a difficult hurdle at Stroud’s Fromehall Park against the fast improving home team.
Stroud made all the early running but were hit on the break by Drybrook after 7 minutes when a loose ball was hacked on and winger Mitch Baldwin just won the race for the touchdown.
A few minutes later Drybrook put together a good passage of play and looked to have broken clear only to be called back for a forward pass.
For the next 20 minutes Drybrook were frustrated by a big penalty count against them and then second row Marcus Cowles was sent to the sin bin for not releasing the tackled player.
Drybrook played well with 14 men but when back up to full strength they wasted a lot of opportunities with poor line kicking, bad handling and a lack of fluency to their game.
Half Time
Stroud nil
Drybrook 5pts
Within 3 minutes of the restart Stroud lost a man to the sin bin and Drybrook choose to kick the resulting penalty to the corner where prop Tom Reed powered over following a catch and drive.
Five minutes later Drybrook’s advantage was lost when flanker Danny Price ended up in the bin and Stroud then began to get on top.
For 20 minutes Stroud asked a lot of questions of the Drybrook defence but the visitors managed to withstand everything thrown at them.
An error ridden passage of play then developed but Drybrook broke the deadlock and Stroud’s hearts with good try.
Skipper Simon Rugman put up an up and under on half way and Baldwin was able to gather on the bounce and he made a lot of ground before off loading to Andy Bulumakau who scampered in under the posts.
Baldwin converted and there was no way back for Stroud despite a lot of home pressure at the end.
Drybrook team: Andy Bulumakau, Mitch Baldwin, Simon Rugman (capt), Luke Fisher, Sam Peaper, Chris Rawlings, Carl Moore, Nick Ovens, Craig Clarke, Tom Reed, Rich Cottrell, Marcus Cowles, Dan Price, Andy Chesters, Liam Jackson.
Substitutes; Rory Day, Joe Tingle, Mitch Renton.
