Drybrook 20ptsBideford 10pts
Drybrook finally overcame a stiff challenge from visiting Bideford to emerge victorious but were a little unfortunate not to come away with a try scoring bonus point.
The first 10 minutes saw Drybrook gradually building up pressure on their visitors but some great tackling kept them out.
Tim Stevenson finally put Drybrook ahead with a penalty in front of the posts and his side kept pressing with some crisp handling and good support play but could not breach the visitors defence.
Centre Joe Margretts looked to have found a way through after 25 minutes with a searing break but the supporting Mitch Baldwin just couldn’t hold on to the try scoring pass.
Bideford then got into the game and began to take control especially at the scrum where they took a number of strikes against the head.
With 34 minutes gone Bideford created a try out of nothing when they moved the ball wide on half way and found no one at home in the Drybrook defence and cruised in for an easy score.
Drybrook hit straight back with some great attacking play and deservedly regained the lead when Joe Tingle wriggled free from a maul 30 metres out before off loading to second row Glenn Nott to touch down.
Hooker Ashley Howells was then yellow carded for dissent as the half drew to a close.
Half time:
Drybrook 8pts
Bideford 5pts
Drybrook started the second half confidently and scrum half Ben George made a delightful break before passing to prop Alex Wolfe who was brought down just short of the line.
Minutes later George worked a switch with winger Mitch Baldwin who was able to race over for Drybrook’s second try.
Bideford hit back immediately and only a fine covering tackle from George saved the day but it was not long before the visitors closed the gap.
Lots of pressing eventually created the space out wide for a run in at the corner.
At 13pts – 10pts it was anybody’s game but Drybrook upped their effort in the last 20 minutes to pull clear.
With 10 minutes left Drybrook were awarded a penalty in front of the posts but elected to kick to the corner to go for a try. It worked a treat for them as an impressive move led to prop Elliot Beattie crashing over for a try which Stevenson converted.
In the final minutes Drybrook worked hard for the bonus point try but despite several promising efforts they were unable to score again.
For Drybrook Glenn Nott, Mitch Renton and Joe Tingle were the pick of the forwards with Ben George and Ollie Moore both looking sharp in the backs.
Drybrook team; Rhys Gardner, Ollie Moore, Ben Large, Joe Margretts, Mitch Baldwin, Tim Stevenson, Ben George, Alex Wolfe, Ashley Howells, Elliot Beattie, Glenn Nott, Will Greenway, Sam Peaper, Joe Tingle, Mitch Bourne.
Replacements; Danny Price, Huw Rimmer, Mitch Renton.
Cheltenham Civil Service 2nds 20pts