Matson (away) 25th March 2017


south-west-oneMatson 16pts
Drybrook 18pts

There was enough drama in the last five minutes of this game to last a season but in the end Drybrook deservedly pulled through to gain victory.
Given first use of the Red Well Road slope Drybrook had to face a fierce wind and a fired up Matson side who went 3pts up after 5 minutes with a penalty for offside.
Minutes later Drybrook had a few catch and drive opportunities from a series of penalties in the corner but Matson survived and moved play up field.
Big hits and strong defences were a feature of the first half and after 20 minutes Drybrook lost prop Alex Wolfe with a neck spasm and winger Rhys Gardner with a suspected broken arm.
With 30 minutes gone Drybrook drew level with a Tim Stevenson penalty that he had to drill low and hard into the wind.
Matson missed a relatively easy shot at goal after this but they kept up the pressure and Drybrook had to defend well to keep them out.
Four minutes from the end of the half Drybrook lost second row Will Greenway to the bin for not using his arms in a tackle and Matson were able to turn the screw.
Deep into injury time Drybrook looked to have stolen a Matson throw in at the corner but the loose ball was dived on for the opening try of the match. The well struck conversion from the corner brought an end to the first half.

Half time:
Matson 10pts
Drybrook 3pts

Matson started the stronger team in the second half and increased their lead with another penalty after Drybrook were penalised for side entry at a ruck.
After this Drybrook brought an intensity to their game and began to assert control with a long period of ball retention which Matson found hard to deal with.
The pressure finally brought its reward and Stevenson put Charlie Hubert through the gap and in under the posts for a great score and the successful conversion brought Drybrook to within 3 points.
15 minutes in Drybrook lost prop Elliot Beattie with a rib injury which forced the scrums to go uncontested which was a pity as they had been scrummaging better than they had all season.
Minutes later winger Mitch Baldwin made a fine break but he failed to notice Hubert steaming up on his shoulder and the chance was missed.
Drybrook kept pressing but in form Matson were equally robust in defence and several players had to receive treatment as the half wore on.
Eventually Drybrook went ahead when their enterprise was rewarded with a try in the corner. Winger Mitch Baldwin was brought down just short but scrum half Ben George was on hand to gather before diving over in the corner.
With 10 to go more Drybrook pressure led to Stevenson and Ben Large combining to put George through a gap but his off load to the impressive Joe Tingle went astray and Matson survived.
Two minutes into injury time Matson managed to break down field and were awarded a penalty 35 metres out which they kicked to take the lead once more.
It was hard on Drybrook but they hit straight back from the restart and after battering away under the home posts they received a penalty themselves.
Stevenson stepped up to take the pressure kick and made no mistake to put his team in front once more.
Referee Bob McCrudden announced there was enough time for Matson to restart and Drybrook secured the ball before Stevenson kicked the ball off the park.
Incredibly the referee announced there were still 26 seconds to go and from the next play he awarded the home side another penalty.
Fortunately for Drybrook the kick failed to go over and they emerged thoroughly deserving winners of an absorbing contest.
There was no man of the match for Drybrook this week, all players from 1 – 18 put their  bodies on the line and played their  part in one of the best victories of the season.

Drybrook 1st XV; Charlie Hubert, Rhys Gardner, Harry Howard, Ben Large (capt), Mitch Baldwin, Tim Stevenson, Ben George, Mitch Hale, Ashley Howells, Alex Wolfe, Glenn Nott, Will Greenway, Joe Tingle, Sam Peaper, Mitch Bourne.
Replacements; Elliot Beatie, Nathan Tucker, Mitch Renton.

south-west-pilotCleve 2nds 0pts
Drybrook United 76pts

Drybrook put in a fantastic performance away at Cleve this weekend to completely blow the home team away.
With several changes from the side from the previous week no-one would have foreseen this result as most games at Cleve are a close affair.
Such was Drybrook’s dominance that they ran in 12 tries through Jack Whiting (4), Ben Harvey (4) Marcus Cowles, Connor Hale, Morgan Warnett & Alex Smailes.
Skipper Andy Milner added to Cleve’s misery by knocking over 8 conversions.

Drybrook 2nds are in Forest Combination Junior cup action on Friday 31st March away at Berryhill, with a 7:30 kick off.

Drybrook United XV; 1. Huw Rimmer 2. Connor Auker-Howlett 3. Anthony Suter 4. Joe James 5. Marcus Cowles 6. Alex Smailes 7. Morgan Warnett 8. Jack Whiting 9. Andrew Milner 10. Luke Roberts 11. Will Bailey 12. Connor Hale 13. Ben Harvey 14. Ashley Wallace 15. Jack Freeman 16. Dean Jelf

gloucester-4Drybrook Extras 29pt
Hucclecote Old Boys 2nds 33pts

The Extras had the chance to wrap up the league title by winning this game but they let themselves down badly with a poor display.
The young Hucclecote team built up a useful lead and Drybrook were always chasing the game and three tries at the end almost got them there but it was not enough.
For Drybrook Kane Hale (2), Ben Steward and Chris Rawlings scored tries with Rawlings adding three conversions and a penalty.

Chris Rawlings went past the 100 point barrier in only his 10th appearance for the Extras (14 tries in this total).

Drybrook Extras XV; Kane Hale, Jack Davies, Jamie Roberts, Matta Freeman, Ian Rawlings, Jimmy Ryder(capt), Chris Rawlings, Jordan Eacups, Adam Harris, Craig Lancett, Simon Ballinger, Steve Turley, Ben Steward, Richard Roberts, Sean Davies.
Replacements; Neil Ricketts, Mitch Williams, John Jeffs, Blake Smith.