North Petherton (home) 22nd April 2017

south-west-oneDrybrook 36pts
North Petherton 14pts

A try hat trick from winger Mitch Baldwin inspired Drybrook to a bonus point victory over a decent opposition outfit to wrap up third place in this highly competitive league.
Baldwin set the tone for the day with a try from Drybrook’s first attack when quick recycled ball gave outside half Tim Stevenson the opportunity to put him through the gap with an excellently timed pass.
Stevenson converted but the visitors hit straight back with a long period of pressure in which Drybrook managed to just hold out.
Pethy’s big pack began to control the ball and starve Drybrook of possession and deservedly got on level terms when they intercepted the ball after an attempted break out from Drybrook that led to a try near the posts.
Drybrook hit the ground running from the restart and Baldwin scampered in for his second try in almost identical fashion to his first when Stevenson sent him through the gap once more.
Stevenson converted the try but Pethy hit back strongly and after several phases of attacking play they spread the ball wide and outflanked Drybrook with a try in the corner.
An excellent touchline conversion brought the scores level but Drybrook ended the half confidently and took the lead once again.
Fullback Charlie Hubert fielded a kick in his own half before setting off on a tremendous run past several defenders to take play deep into opposition territory. The ball was moved wide to Baldwin who gave an inside pass to centre Kristian Taft who crashed over to score and Stevenson added the extras.
Right at the end of the half prop forward Mitch Hale almost got over for a try but knocked on with the line at his mercy.

Half Time;
Drybrook 21pts
North Petherton 14pts

Drybrook weathered some early second half pressure and then after 10 minutes they scored an excellent try to claim the bonus point. No 8 Joe Tingle, who had only just come on as a replacement, picked up from a scrum on his own 22 metre line before setting off on a tremendous blindside run up to half way. He found the supporting Danny Price with a lovely inside pass who in turn put Baldwin in the clear to sprint in under the sticks.
Stevenson converted and then added a penalty as Drybrook began to get on top.
Drybrook found the sunny conditions and hard pitch to their liking and Petherton dropped off the pace for a period before rallying to make a real game of it.
It was end to end stuff for a while as both teams threw caution to the wind but it was Drybrook who had the last word when skipper Ben Large scored his team’s fifth try.
The powerful centre snapped up the loose ball on half way and wriggled out of two tackles before bursting through the cover defence on his way to the line.
Baldwin was the pick of a hungry back division with back row man Danny Price the best forward on show.

Drybrook 1st XV; Charlie Hubert, Mitch Baldwin, Kristian Taft, Ben Large (captain), Ollie Moore, Tim Stevenson, Ben George, Mitch Hale, Alex Wolfe, Huw Rimmer, Glenn Nott, Will Greenway, Danny Price, Sam Peaper, Mitch Bourne.
Replacements; Harry Howard, Mitch Renton, Joe Tingle.

south-west-pilotDrybrook United

No League Fixture

Cinderford Bucks 46pts
Drybrook Extras 5pts

23rd April 2017

Cinderford were too strong and had too much pace for Drybrook 3rds in this final and ran out comfortable winners.
Drybrook competed well in the first 15 minutes but lost both Matt Freeman and Jack Davies to injury before Cinderford edged ahead with a penalty.
With 33 minutes gone a poor line out throw led to the ball going loose and Cinderford pounced for a try and in the panic Clive Boughton was also injured and carried from the field.
Just before the break Cinderford broke away from half way to score another try, this time under the posts, to leave Drybrook with a mountain to climb.

Half Time:
Cinderford Bucks 15pts
Drybrook nil

At the start of the second half, Cinderford ran back a poor clearance kick to score a try in the corner.
A penalty after 9 minutes extended the Bucks lead and five minutes later they ran in another try from deep assisted by some weak tackling from Drybrook.
It was getting a bit one sided but Drybrook rallied a bit to put some pressure on Cinderford but found it hard to break through.
With 30 minutes gone Cinderford lost a man to the bin and Drybrook finally got some points when they were awarded a penalty try after a high tackle – missing the conversion in front of the posts just about summed up Drybrook’s performance.
In the dying minutes another long range try completed the scoring and Cinderford emerged deserved winners.

Drybrook Extras XV; Steve Skelton, Jack Davies, Ben Steward, Jamie Roberts, Will Bailey, Jimmy Ryder (capt), Kieran Auker-Howlett, Craig Lancett, Adam Harris, Craig Boughton, Steve Turley, Jon Pritchard, Dale Critchley, Matt Freeman, Richard Roberts.
Replacements; Sean Davies, Ashley Wallace, Jordan Eacups, Simon Ballinger.