Drybrook 9ptsBristol Harlequins 3pts
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Drybrook overcame the elements and a stiff challenge from Bristol Harlequins to maintain their good form in the Western Counties League.
Right from the offset there was an urgency about Drybrook’s play and they were held up in the in goal area after five minutes.
Drybrook continued to ask questions of the visitor’s defence but a string of small errors crept into their play and Harlequins held on.
After 15 minutes Drybrook lost flanker Sam Peaper with a leg injury but they kept up the pressure with wave after wave of attacks but could find no way through.
Eventually Harlequins moved up field and it was Drybrook’s turn to defend which they did to good effect. With 30 minutes gone the visitor’s scrum half was yellow carded for killing the ball and Drybrook were soon on the attack again.
However a combination of resolute defence and the driving rain kept the scoring opportunities to a minimum.
Half Time:
Drybrook nil
Bristol Harlequins nil
Drybrook had all of the play at the beginning of the second half and busy hooker Luke Fisher was denied a score when he was bundled into touch in the in goal area.
A score had to come and it eventually did when Ollie Clements put over a penalty after 8 minutes.
Drybrook continued to play at a high tempo and a number of powerful surges in which No 8 Mitch Renton was particularly prominent brought the reward of a second penalty from Clements.
The rain began to take its toll on both teams but they both tried to play constructive rugby and with 15 minutes left the visitors were given a life line.
Drybrook replacement Rorie Day was yellow carded and from the subsequent penalty the Harlequins were able to open their account.
The visitors sensed a chance to snatch victory but Drybrook upped their game despite losing flanker Danny Price to a yellow card and Clements made the game safe with his third successful penalty just before the end.
This was another good showing from Drybrook who were well served by second row Rich Cottrell who made his first appearance of the season following an injury lay off.
Hooker Luke Fisher caught the eye all afternoon as did Mitch Renton who was at the heart of most of Drybrook’s forward dominance.
Drybrook team; Tom Treherne, Adam Swordy, Simon Rugman (Capt), Dan Cox, Kritian Taft, Ollie Clements, Mitch Baldwin, Jun Sing Lee, Luke Fisher, Mitch Renton, Rich Cottrell, Joe James, Dan Price, Sam Peaper, Lee Ward.
Replacements; Rorie Day, Chris Rawlings, Nick Ovens.
