Drybrook 31ptsClevedon 30pts
A penalty three minutes from time gave Drybrook victory in this tremendous game between two evenly matched teams intent on playing open rugby.
Clevedon missed a shot at goal early in the first half and after a period of stalemate Drybrook took the lead on 12 minutes. A perfectly weighted kick from stand off Jack Combes stood up nicely for winger Mitch Baldwin to run onto for a try in the corner.
With 20 minutes gone Baldwin just failed to get a second try when he put a foot in touch after following up a kick from skipper Ben Large.
A few minutes later Drybrook should haveincreased their lead with a penalty but unusually Tom Treherne’s straightforward kickfrom in front of the sticks was off target.
Clevedon then gained a stranglehold and were held up in the in goal area as Drybrook defended desperately to keep them out.
It seemed a score had to come but replacement winger Rhys Gardner intercepted a stray pass and ran the length of the field before finishing off with a spectacular dive under the Clevedon posts.
Treherne converted but Drybrook made a mess of the re-start and conceded a very soft try after they made a mess of securing possession.
Towards the end of the half Drybrook were on top again and two Treherne penalties extended their lead but the sea siders hit back again with a penalty on the stroke of half time.
Half Time:
Drybrook 18pts
Clevedon 10pts
Drybrook asked a lot of questions of the Clevedon defence at the start of the second half but the game then turned as possession began to dry up.
Clevedon began to dominate and reduced the arrears with a penalty after 10 minutes but Drybrook finally relieved the pressure and moved up field where Treherne put over his third penalty kick.
Mid way through the half Drybrook scored another try when Baldwin took a quick tap penalty in his own half and made good ground before being tackled. The ball was quickly recycled and scrum half Ben George put in a towering box kick and second row Will Greenway was up quickest to gather before piling over for a try.
Treherne converted and at 28pts – 13pts there seemed no way back for Clevedon but the visitors had other ideas and were quickly back in the game.
From a delightful attack which started deep in their own half they scored a try at the other end following several off loads and great support lines.
With 10 minutes to go it was Drybrook who were hanging on as Clevedon threw everything at them. Wave after wave of attacks were kept out but eventually the visitors got in under the posts and the conversion brought them to within one point.
Clevedon sensed victory and another period of relentless pressure brought a penalty shot at goal and the successful kick put them in front for the first time.
Drybrook were immediately on the attack from the re-start and with four minutes left they were awarded a penalty 35 metres out after a Clevedon forward was yellow carded for a cynical offside at a ruck.
Up stepped Treherne and the fullback made no mistake with the pressure kick to put his side into the lead again.
There was still time for Clevedon and in a frantic last few minutes Drybrook charged down a drop goal attempt and just held out to claim victory.
This was another good all round performance from Drybrook with Will Greenway and Elliot Beattie sharing the man of the match award.
Drybrook 1sr XV: Tom Treherne, Harry Howard, Kristian Taft, Ben Large(Capt), Mitch Baldwin, Jack Combes, Ben George, Elliot Beattie, Ashley Howells, Alex Wolfe, Will Greenway, Glenn Nott, Sam Peaper, Danny Price, Mitch Bourne.
Replacements: Leonard Mulhane, Rhys Gardner, Huw Rimmer.
Drybrook Extras 56pts