Drybrook Rugby Club

Gloucestershire Premier League

From the outset, Drybrook showed their intention of running the ball however, eight minutes into the game they were penalized for holding on in the tackle and went 3 – 0 down.

Still trying to show some enterprise the home side continued to pressure their visitors but, a poor clearance kick from Saracens was dropped and Saracens players following up, hacked the ball on and eventually scored a try.

Drybrook swiftly pulled back three points through a Mitch Baldwin penalty and five minutes later the Drybrook pack gained possession in the visitors’ 22 and drove 15 metres for a well deserved try by hooker Craig Clarke to level the scores at eight all.

Drybrook continued to dominate and following more pressure, were awarded a penalty five metres from the Saracens’ line. Opting for the scrummage, Drybrook were rewarded with a pick up and go try from number eight Liam Jackson who has made a very welcome return to the club. The try was converted by Mitch Baldwin.

Five minutes before the interval Sing Lee came on for Tom Reed who had sustained a leg injury and immediately following this, Drybrook won a line-out, Ovens received the ball and made a telling break before feeding Danny Price who raced over to score with Baldwin adding the conversion.

Halftime Drybrook 22pts Bristol Saracens 8pts

The second half started with Drybrook still trying to run the ball. Saracens were caught offside at a ruck and Baldwin duly converted the penalty.
Drybrook then lost concentration and Saracens took advantage to run in a try under the posts to close the gap.

After this there came thirty minutes of uneventful, scrappy play from both sides with Drybrook wasting at least two chances of a fourth try bonus point.

Drybrook team: Mitch Baldwin, Adam Swordy, Simon Rugman (capt), Luke Fisher, Sam Peaper, Alan Richards, Danny Griffiths, Tom Reed, Craig Clarke, Nick Ovens, Rich Cottrell, Marcus Cowles, Dan Price, Lee Ward, Liam Jackson.
Substitutes; Joe Tingle, Jun Sing Lee, Mitch Renton

Gloucestershire Reserve League 1 North

Old Cents 2nds 22pts Drybrook United 33pts

Drybrook started well despite the late changes to their line up and should have taken the lead when Cents were penalised at the ruck for offside but Ryan Dubberley was off target with the kick. Drybrook’s backrow were controlling the breakdown area and combining well to make inroads into the

Cents half, however a dropped pass allowed Cents easy possession and their blindside wing forward pushed aside a couple of weak tackles to take the lead with a converted try near the posts.

Drybrook again took the game to Cents through some excellent catch and drives which were well marshalled by the old general Neil Morgan who was able to pass on his vast experience to the younger players around him.

Cents realised that they were not in for an easy afternoon up front and began to spin the ball wide whenever the opportunity presented itself and desite some excellent defence from Chad Vanstanden and Conner Hale they advanced to a position in the Drybrook half where a penalty for coming in at the side of the ruck resulted in an easy three points.

Rather than lick their wounds and wait for the half time whistle Drybrook attacked straight from the restart and were rewarded with a John Baynham try after good work from Joe James who was showing excellent form with strong runs and close support play.
Dubberley converted the try to bring an end to the half with Cents just edging it 10 points to 7.

The second half began with a try to Old Cents who capitalised on a poor clearance kick to score under the posts with the simple conversion giving them a ten point advantage. After a stern talking to from Morgan Drybrook then began to play their best rugby of the game and forced numerous mistakes from Cents who conceded a number of penalties, one in the middle of the park, which Dubberley playing his best game for some time easily slotted.
Drybrook continued to use their forward dominance and from a series of good lineouts and driving play young prop Connor Auker-Howlett was well placed to dive over from close range for a try well converted by Dubberley.

Drybrook were again the architects of their own downfall when they tried running the ball from their own goal line and were forced into conceding possession at the scrum which allowed Cents to score on the blindside to take them once more into the lead with 20 minutes remaining.

After this mishap the Drybrook forwards decided to keep the ball tight and this soon paid dividends when Old cents had a player yellow carded for dissent following a number of penalties conceded by the tiring defence.

Mitch Browning then capped a fine display by outpacing the cents back line to score after being put in space from an exquisite off load by Peter Meek Dubberley converting to give the Foresters a deserved lead which they extended a minute later with another Dubberley penalty after Old Cents had their second player of the game yellow carded for a deliberate trip. The game was wrapped up for Drybrook when Neil Morgan ploughed over to cap a fine captains performance which had brought the best out of his young protégés and resulted defeat for the much fancied Old Cents outfit.

Drybrook United XV; Kane Hale, Jack Davies, Chad Vanstadan, Nick Lewis, Connor Hale, Ryan Dubberley, Danny Verry, Connor Auker-Howlett, John Baynham, Tony Suter, Jim Rugman, Joe James, Mitch Browning, Peter Meek, Neil Morgan ( Capt)
Substitutes; Steve Virgo, Chris Tingle, Nick Rawlings, Jon Mustoe

Gloucestershire Reserve League 2 North

Widden O. B.s 2nds 17pts Drybrook 3rds 15pts

With a few changes to their normal line up the Extras came within a whisker of victory at Widden where they played with great commitment and spirit.
Craig Boughton slotted an early penalty to give the Extras a three point lead, this however was short lived when missed tackles led to Widden scoring two tries in quick concession.
A fractured shoulder led to Clive Boughton leaving the field off play and the consequent reshuffle saw Paul Cocker move to number eight.

Half Time Widden O. B.s 2nds 12pts Drybrook Extras 3pts

In the second half Drybrook got themselves back in the game with some great scrummaging and rucking which eventually led to Cocker powering over for two tries with Boughton adding one conversion.
Drybrook tried to close out the game but a wayward kick up field let the Widden back line run in a well worked try out wide to snatch victory.

Drybrook Extras XV; Craig Boughton, Mark Head, Matt Seaborne, Paul Adams, Louis Wall, John Jeffs, Jim Ryder (capt), Lee Phelps, Billy Head, Craig Lancett, Steve Turley, Paul Cocker, Clive Boughton, Sean Bourne, Richard Roberts.
Substitute; Ben Venner