Chosen Hill FP (home) 19th October 2013 – League & Cup Double

Western Counties North
report-page-western-countieDrybrook 38pts
Chosen Hill FP 7pts

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Drybrook put in their best display of the season to see off ChosenHill in a game packed with incident and drama.
The driving rain did little to dampen Drybrook’s initial enthusiasm and they were rewarded for a bright start when winger Kristian Taft made a searing touchline break before sending Dan Cox on a clear run to the posts.
Ollie Clements added the simple conversion and was soon called on again when Drybrook scored a second try. This time a relentless surge towards the line ended with skipper Simon Rugman powering over and Clements made no mistake with the kick.
With 15 minutes gone the game was held up for a long period when visiting winger Nick Tribe sustained a dislocated knee.
Eventually the match was moved onto the adjoining pitch and Drybrook with the slight slope in their favour kept up the pressure on the visitors.
With Mitch Renton, Marcus Cowles and Dale Critchley at the heart of a dominant Drybrook forward pack ChosenHill were forced to defend for long periods.
Drybrook No 8 Lee Ward looked likely to score when he broke unchallenged from a maul but a tremendous cover tackle from winger Dan Wilcox somehow saved the day.
Drybrook were not to be denied at the next opportunity and scrum half Mitch Baldwin was accredited with the try after being driven over the line under a pile of players.
Clements successful conversion further increased Drybrook’s lead and the home side were soon on the attack again when a delightful move involving Tom Treherne and Marcus Cowles was just halted in the corner.
Just before the break Drybrook grabbed the bonus point try when industrious prop Jun Sing Lee broke free on the 22 metre line before racing clear and Clements added the extras with another fine kick.
Half Time: Drybrook 28pts ChosenHill Former Pupils nil
The referee attempted to persuade both teams to go back to the main pitch for the second half but ChosenHill, who had just lost second row Dan Probin with a broken hand, were having none of it. They insisted on having use of the slope but it was Drybrook who made all the early running.
With 10 minutes gone the game was held up for another injury, this time a neck injury sustained by the visitor’s centre Ed Higgs. With a second ambulance summoned the referee had no alternative than to move the match to the main pitch once again.
Drybrook continued to make life difficult for ChosenHill who to their credit defended manfully and it took 20 minutes before Clements was able to increase Drybrook’s lead with a penalty.
Drybrook were at the top of their game at this stage and when they stole ChosenHill scrummage ball, skipper Simon Rugman broke through in mid field before touching down under the posts with a spectacular dive.
Clements converted but a minute later Drybrook centre Ben Large was red carded for a dangerous tackle.
Despite this set back Drybrook continued to play positively and should have added to their score.
It was ChosenHill who had the last word however when on their only real attack of the half, Drybrook ran out of defenders, and winger Dan Wilcox was put clear on the overlap by fullback Ashley Lewis who also added the conversion.
This was a very good performance from Drybrook considering the conditions with the man of the match award going to stand off Ollie Clements who showed good distribution skills combined with a faultless display of goal kicking.

Drybrook 1st XV; Tom Treherne, Kristian Taft, Simon Rugman (Capt), Ben Large, Dan Cox, Ollie Clements, Mitch Baldwin, Jun Sing Lee, Mitch Renton, Nick Ovens, Marcus Cowles, Dale Critchley, Dan Price, Sam Peaper, Lee Ward.
Replacements; Joe James, Carl Moore, Craig Clarke

Gloucestershire Reserve League Premier
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Gloucestershire Reserve League North 2
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Drybrook Extras 10pts
Westbury-on-Severn “A” 10pts

This derby match was not without incident either when a car accident on the way to Drybrook robbed the visitors of a number of players as well as the team shirts.
Subsequently the kick off was delayed and the Drybrook replacements James Meek, Dan Wilce , Quentin Partridge and James Ellway all had to start for Westbury to get the game going.
Westbury had to loan a set of Drybrook shirts but they battled well despite all of the problems to earn a share of the spoils in the game which eventually finished under floodlights.
For Drybrook Richard Roberts scored a try with Ben Roberts adding a conversion and a penalty.
Key players for Drybrook were Richard Roberts and Billy Head in the pack and scrum half Kieran Auker-Howlett but man of the match went to veteran stand off Jimmy Ryder.

Drybrook Extras XV; Ben Roberts, Jack Freeman, Matt Freeman, Jay Knight, Colin Morgan, Jimmy Ryder, Kieran Auker-Howlett, Steve Virgo, Tom Maskell (Capt), Alex Balman, Steve Turley, Jon Mustoe, Billy Head, Iain Murphy, Richard Roberts.
Replacements; Ben Venner, Grantley Brown, Tony Paul.