Drybrook 24pts
Widden Old Boys 13pts
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A strong last quarter finally saw off the Widden challenge on a grey and bitterly cold day at the Mannings.
Drybrook lacked urgency for long periods of this game and consequently the visitors were able to make a real game of it and at one stage looked like upsetting the odds.
After an uneventful opening 10 minutes Drybrook managed to create some pressure on the visitors and following a scrum 5 metres out Carl Moore nipped in for the game’s first try.
Tom Treherne converted but there was little more action until the 25th minute when second row Marcus Cowles touched down after continual pressure.
Widden almost replied from the restart when Drybrook just managed to bundle them into touch at the corner flag but a few minutes later they opened their account with a penalty.
The half drew to a close with Drybrook wasting several opportunities as they batterd away at the visitor’s line.
Half Time Drybrook 12pts
Widden Old Boys 3pts
Widden started the second half strongly and following a patient build up they crossed for a good try in the corner after outflanking the home team.
Drybrook threw on 3 substitutes in an effort to inject some energy into their performance but Widden remained on top and kicked a penalty to go into the lead after hitting the post with an earlier attempt.
This at last made Drybrook up the tempo and following a prolonged period in the visitor’s half they finally broke through when No 8 Liam Jackson was put clear for a try in the corner.
Drybrook then went searching for the bonus point try but Widden made them fight hard for it in a desperate last 10 minutes.
Drybrook were held up over the Widden line 3 times and only a last ditch tackle prevented Andy Bulumakau scoring after a fine run from 40 metres out.
With the game entering the last minute it seemed the try would not come but a last gasp effort led to hooker Mitch Renton crashing over for the try against his former club.
Treherne’s successful conversion was followed by the final whistle.
The “Richard Bell Ltd” man of the match for Drybrook was scrum half Carl Moore.
Drybrook team; Tom Treherne, Mitch Baldwin, Simon Rugman(capt), Luke Fisher, Sam Peaper, Chris Rawlings, Carl Moore, Craig Clarke, Mitch Renton, Tom Reed, Rich Cottrell, Marcus Cowles, Dan Price, Lee Ward, Neil Morgan.
Substitutes; Liam Jackson, Andy Bulumakau, Jun Sing Lee
