Drybrook United 20pts
Ross-on-Wye 1st XV 13pts
A late Dean Jelf try finally decided this game in Drybrook’s favour after a hotly contested tie between two very evenly matched teams.
Drybrook swept into an early lead when No 8 Mitch Renton barged over for a try but Ross hit back immediately with a penalty through Aaron Ryder.
Ross kept up the pressure and after going close on a number of occasions they took the lead with a try in the corner.
After this play was mainly concentrated around mid-field and Ross looked the more cohesive unit as errors began to creep into Drybrook’s game.
Towards the end of the half there was a big flare up which resulted in a lengthy stoppage for treatment to the Ross scrum half Ben Element.
Things settled down after this and Drybrook
had a chance to score right at the end but they messed up a throw in at the corner and Ross survived.
Half time:
Drybrook United 5pts
Ross-on-Wye 1st Xv 10pts
Drybrook wasted a similar line out opportunity at the start of the second half but maintained field position and eventually took the lead.
They forced Ross into mistakes after a scrum near the line and Renton was on hand to take the loose ball and cross for the try.
Sipper Andy Milner put over the conversion to give hi side the lead but it was not long before Ryder edged Ross back in front with another well struck penalty.
Ross hung on to their slender one point lead for quite a while but Drybrook kept asking questions and Luke Roberts was unlucky not to score when he put a foot in touch near the corner.
With 8 minutes to go and both sides giving their all, Milner finally regained the lead for his side with a long range penalty.
With the last play of the game Drybrook finally broke through a tiring Ross defence and it was Jelf who emerged with the ball from under a pile of players.
Drybrook United now go on to meet Cinderford Stags in the final at Newent on Saturday 6th May (3pm kick off)
Drybrook United XV; Luke Roberts, Jack Freeman, Nathan Tucker, Harry Howard, Kane Hale, Andy Milner(captain), Gareth Holdsworth, Anthony Suter, Dean Jelf, Connor Auker-Howlett, Joe James, Jim Rugman, Jack Whiting, Connor Hale, Mitch Renton.
Replacements; Reece Lane, Tom Reed, Tom Treherne, Steve Virgo.
