North Petherton 13pts
Drybrook 9pts
Drybrook will be a little disappointed with their below par performance at North Petherton in a game that could easily have been won.
Some poor decision making at critical times and a lack of penetration for long periods made it a frustrating afternoon for the visitors who had to settle for a losing bonus point in the end.
Petherton took the lead with a penalty goal after 2 minutes but Drybrook soon responded when centre Jamie Cooke was put through the gap on half way. He made a lot of ground before off loading to skipper Ben Large who was hauled down just short of the line.
A penalty kick to the corner quickly followed and although Petherton held out for a while a second infringement allowed Tom Treherne to kick a penalty to bring the scores level.
Petherton with the wind, rain and slope in their favour then took a stranglehold on the game and kept Drybrook pinned deep in their own half.
With 17 minutes gone Drybrook flanker Sam Peaper was yellow carded and Petherton kept pressing and pressing until they eventually rumbled over for a try.
With 30 minutes gone Drybrook skipper Ben Large limped off with an ankle injury but eventually his side relieved the pressure by taking play up to the Petherton 22 metre line. A promising attack was halted when the ball went loose and Petherton almost scored at the other end with a kick and chase.
The half ended with Drybrook again defending deep in their own half and they did well to keep the home side from adding to their tally.
Half Time;
North Petherton 10pts
Drybrook 3pts
Drybrook had the chance to close the gap early in the second half when they created an overlap on half way but a deliberate knock on halted the move and it was Petherton’s turn to lose a player to the bin.
Drybrook were unable to make anything of the one man advantage and indeed it was the home side who scored next with a penalty for offside.
Trehene soon cancelled that score out with his second penalty after 10 minutes and Drybrook rang the changes in an effort to add some urgency to their game. With 20 minutes gone Treherne reduced the gap to 4 points with his third successful kick but Drybrook seemed incapable of putting any real pressure on the home side.
It all looked a bit half paced with both defences easily snuffing out any possible attacking play as the game became bogged down in mid field.
Treherne was just off target with a long range penalty attempt and it was not until the last few minutes that Drybrook looked likely to break through.
Finally Drybrook found themselves pressing the home line but a couple of promising opportunities were squandered and the home side held on to take the win.
For Drybrook 17 year old Ollie Moore made a promising league debut at scrum half and county under 20’s prop Lee Nightingill also enjoyed a solid debut performance and looks a good addition to the squad.
Drybrook XV: Tom Treherne, Jake Carter, Ben Large (capt), Jamie Cooke, Mitch Baldwin, Tim Stevenson, Ollie Moore, Huw Rimmer, Ashley Howells, Lee Nightingill, Will Greenway, Len Mullhane, Sam Peaper, Mitch Bourne, Mitch Renton,
Replacements: Mitch Hale, Danny Price, Harry Howard.
