Drybrook Rugby Club

Gloucestershire Premier League

Drybrook missed the opportunity to start off their league campaign with a victory when they lost a very closely contested match in Bristol.

Ultimately it was Drybrook’s inability to turn pressure into points that cost them but the hosts showed clinical efficiency from their limited chances and backed this up with some aggressive defensive work that frustrated the visitors throughout.

The opening ten minutes were fast and furious and Drybrook had the first scoring opportunity but a penalty kick to the corner was wasted when they messed up the resulting lineout.

With 15 minutes gone the home side went ahead when Drybrook were turned over at a ruck 30 metres out and then a kick to the corner led to Whitehall winning the race to the touchdown.

Ten minutes later Drybrook drew level when Carl Moore broke down the blindside of a scrum inside his own half and following a great run he found Ben Large with an inside pass and the young stand off touched down near the posts.

Tom Treherne converted but 5 minutes later Drybrook conceded a soft try when a poor clearance kick was ran back and some poor first up tackling created the space for Whitehall to score in the corner.

Right on the stroke of half time Drybrook were forced to defend a series of scrums 15 metres out and after a conceding a couple of penalties the nreferee awarded the home side a penalty try for deliberately wheeling.

Half Time: Whitehall 19pts Drybrook 7pts

It was all Drybrook for most of the second half and they soon reduced the deficit when Carl Moore forced his way over the line after picking up from a retreating scrummage.

Despite the monopoly of possession and territory Drybrook could not break through as they were thwarted time and again by some excellent Whitehall defence.

Drybrook wasted a couple of gilt edged chances and paid the penalty with 15 minutes left when they lost possession in the home 22 metre area and the ball was quickly moved wide to the centre who showed excellent pace to go the length of the field for a try.

This could have knocked the stuffing out of Drybrook but they came back strongly and should have had a try when they created an overlap only for a deliberate knock on to deny them.

The Whitehall winger was yellow carded for his indiscretion but with the match nearly over Drybrook did not have enough time left to make the advantage count.

Drybrook team; Dan Griffiths, Simon Rugman (Captain), Luke Fisher, Tom Treherne, James Gahan, Ben Large, Carl Moore, Nick Ovens, Mitch Renton, Tom Reed, Pete Meek, Richard Cottrell, Lee Ward, Dan Price, Toby McCormick.
Substitutes; Joe Tingle, Chris Rawlings, Craig Clarke.

Drybrook United’s opening Reserve League One North match with ConeyHill was cancelled as the Gloucester club were unable to field a team.

Gloucestershire Reserve League 2 North

Drybrook Extras 19pts Cirencester “B” nil

A strong Dryrook pack dominated an error strewn first half and an exceptional tackling display from Craig Boughton ensured Cirencester’s young mobile side were kept out when they threatened. The only scoring in the first half came on 21 minutes when John Jeffs broke the Cirencester back line to reward Drybrook’s patience.

The second half saw a similar dogged forward display allowing Drybrook’s backs a lot more space as Cirencester began to tire. Drybrook introduced winger Kane Hale who quickly made his mark with a try in the corner and fellow substitute Ryan Moss scored the last try after being driven over in the opposite corner.

Mitch Baldwin added 2 conversions to cap a strong performance at scrum half with Craig Boughton the pick of the Drybrook forwards.

Drybrook Extras XV; A Milner, Dan Wilce, John Jeffs, Ben Roberts, Jack Davies, Jim Ryder ( Captain), Mitch Baldwin, Scott Phelps, Clive Boghton, Lee Phelps, Paul Cocker, Steve Turley, Sean Bourne, Craig Boughton, Richard Roberts.
Substitutes; Matt Seaborne, Ryan Moss, Ian Jeffs, Kane Hale, John Baynham.