RFU Senior Vase Semi-Final



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A try in the last minute finally put the issue beyond doubt following this pulsating semi final tie played out in front of over 500 spectators. Drybrook now have a final to look forward to at the home of English Rugby,Twickenham stadium.
Roared on by their large travelling support Drybrook started strongly and had the home side in trouble in the first few scrums.
A big driving maul took play deep into home territory and a penalty kick to the corner gave Drybrook the chance of a catch and drive try but Maidstone held out.
Finally the pressure brought a penalty for Drybrook and full back Tom Treherne put them 3pts – nil up after 15 minutes.
Drybrook lost No 8 Andy Chesters for a period due to a facial injury and then the home side stepped up a gear and began to dominate.
With 20 minutes gone Drybrook’s Nick Ovens was yellow carded for an offence at a ruck but somehow the visitors held on. Maidstone looked to have grabbed a try on 25 minutes but it was disallowed for crossing and then Drybrook lost the services of hooker Mitch Renton with a pulled hamstring.
Maidstone shunned the opportunity of a simple penalty in front of the Drybrook posts in their efforts to grab a try but could not break through.
Maidstone should have scored a try under the posts after 25 minutes but Drybrook’s Andy

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Bulumakau managed to knock the ball out of his opponents grasp when he was in the act of touching it down.
The tackling was furious from both sides and Maidstone looked dangerous whenever they moved the ball wide but Drybrook stayed in contention by using their forwards to drive up field.
With the half drawing to a close Maidstone had a man yellow carded but they were able to keep up the pressure and it took some desperate defensive work to keep them out.

Half Time
Maidstone nil Drybrook 3pts

After the break neither side could make much headway but Maidstone finally got some points on the board when fullback Sam Brill kicked a penalty after 10 minutes.
Drybrook hit back immediately and regained the lead with a Treherne penalty in front of the home posts and a few minutes later they grabbed the opening try.
Maidstone could not halt a catch and drive from a line out and Andy Chesters powered over for Drybrook.
Maidstone’s response was impressive and after a period of pressure Brill put over his second penalty.

It was still anybody’s game but Drybrook’s collective desire showed through as they continually drove the home team back with aggressive defence and a superb driving maul.
With a minute to go Maidstone won a line out on their own 5 metre line but second row Liam Jackson managed to turnover possession to allow the visiting forwards to rumble over and flanker Danny Price was credited with the touchdown.
With a minute left Drybrook wound down the clock and the final whistle was followed by scenes of wild celebration.
One of the features of Drybrook’s campaign has been their ability to outlast opponents. Even when they struggled to seize control of matches, their conditioning and the impact of class reinforcements from the bench have seen them through as was the case in this their toughest match of the season so far.
Drybrook now go on to a dream final at Twickenham on May 4th with Yorkshire outfit Selby.

Drybrook team; Tom Treherne, Sam Peaper, Simon Rugman(capt), Luke Fisher, Andy Bulumakau, Ben Large, Carl Moore, Tom Reed, Mitch Renton, Nick Ovens, Marcus Cowles, Liam Jackson, Joe Tingle, Dan Price, Andy Chesters.
Substitutes; Chris Rawlings, Craig Clarke, Jun Sing Lee, Lee Ward, Neil Morgan, Mitch Baldwin, Rorie Day.