Drybrook 32ptsKeynsham 20pts
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This was an absorbing contest between two committed teams and Drybrook did extremely well to clinch a bonus point victory.
A very lively start from Drybrook was rewarded when stand off Ben Large made an incisive break before throwing out a long pass to No 8 Mitch Renton who scored in the corner.
Keynsham hit back straight away and after several waves of attack, dangerous winger Marlon Dorsett was put in at the corner on the overlap.
Both teams looked to move the ball whenever possible and it was the visitors who took the lead after 19 minutes with a long range penalty.
It did not take Drybrook long to get back on level terms and an all out attack led to a penalty in front of the posts which Tom Treherne easily converted.
Drybrook almost grabbed a try a few minutes later when Treherne snaffled up a loose ball in mid field. There were plenty of men in support and skipper Simon Rugman took the final pass but desperate defence led to Dorsett and Rugman colliding with the posts which caused the game to be held up for some minutes.
Drybrook squandered the opportunity from the resulting scrum and Keynsham were able to clear the danger.
With the half drawing to a close, the visitors grabbed a try out of nothing. Drybrook lost possession on half way and Keynsham exploited a gap on the blindside to send Dorsett breezing past three defenders on his way to a try under the posts
Half Time:
Drybrook 8pts
Keynsham 15pts
The second half began with Drybrook on the offensive and second row replacement Marcus Cowles looked like he a point to prove when he powered over from close range.
Treherne converted to get his team back on level terms and Drybrook were able to keep up the pressure with a good passage of play.
Eventually flanker Danny Price claimed a try and Treherne’s conversion put the home side in the driving seat.
Drybrook butchered a gilt edged chance a few minutes later when Sam Peaper delayed his pass too long with men queuing up outside and the Keynsham cover was able to get across.
Prop Nick Ovens was held up over the line on 17 minutes, but just after he had another opportunity and he secured a bonus point try for his team.
The visitors were far from finished and play flowed from end to end and eventually Keynsham grabbed a try in the corner to set up a nail biting climax.
It was Drybrook who proved the stronger in the dying minutes and they wore Keynsham down with a series of pick and goes. A try seemed inevitable and it was flanker Sam Peaper who eventually delivered the killer blow.
For Drybrook Ovens, Critchley and Renton were all outstanding in the forwards but hooker Luke Fisher won the man of the match accolade following his all action performance.
Drybrook 1st XV;Aiden Price, Kristian Taft, Simon Rugman (Capt), Dan Cox, Mitch Baldwin, Ben Large,Tom Treherne, Jun Sing Lee, Luke Fisher, Nick Ovens, Joe James, Dale Critchley, Dan Price, Sam Peaper, Mitch Renton.
Replacements; Marcus Cowles, Ollie Clements, Chris Rawlings.
