Drybrook 22pts
Newent 23pts
A failed conversion kick in the dying minutes signalled heartbreak for Drybrook after they had battled back from an 8 point deficit with 5 minutes to go.
The first half was very even with two Tim Stevenson penalties cancelling out two from Newent’s Tom Webb.
There was nothing to separate the teams but a late surge form Drybrook finally broke the deadlock with 33 minutes gone. After winning a penalty, which resulted in a yellow card for Newent, Drybrook kicked to the corner and Mitch Hale was driven over for a try.
Drybrook continued to press and kicked another penalty to the corner but this time they gave away a penalty and Newent were able to clear.
Just before the break another penalty award came and this time Stevenson put it through the posts to extend Drybrook’s lead.
Half Time: Drybrook 14pts Newent 6pts
Ten minutes into the second half Newent began to get on top and they worked a position close
to Drybrook’s line.
Drybrook managed to keep them out and then won a line out on their own 5 metre line but the throw went badly awry and Newent pounced on the loose ball for the simplest of tries.
The successful conversion brought Newent to within one point and for a period after this Drybrook could not get out of their own half.
With 20 minutes gone Newent shunned a couple of kickable penalties but Drybrook’s defence held firm. Eventually Newent were awarded another shot at goal but although Webb put it wide he had a second chance a few minutes later and put his side 16pts -14pts ahead.
From the restart Newent centre Will Mansfield set off on a tremendous run and only some desperate cover defence brought him down. The ball was quickly recycled and Mansfield got his hands on the ball once again and seared through a large gap for a try near the posts.
Webb’s conversion looked to have put Newent out of sight but Drybrook hit back strongly and Stevenson put over a difficult penalty kick from long range.
From the restart Drybrook applied the pressure
once more and got themselves within touching distance of the Newent line with only a couple of minutes left.
Several players went close to scoring and then one almighty drive eventually led to a touchdown for Drybrook’s Sam Peaper.
It all hinged on the conversion from mid-way out on the left hand side of the posts but after a long delay Stevenson put his effort wide.
There was just enough time for a restart but Newent managed to secure possession and gratefully kicked into touch to signal the end of an epic encounter.
Drybrook; Charlie Hubert, Mitch Baldwin, Ben Large(capt), Joe Margetts, Ollie Moore, Tim Stevenson, Ben George, Mitch Hale, Alex Wolfe, Huw Rimmer, Glen Nott, Will Greenway, Danny Price, Sam Peaper, Mitch Bourne.
Replacements; Joe Tingle, Mitch Renton, Harry Howard, Tom Treherne
